GENEROUS staff and students at the University of Chester have come together to make Christmas brighter for others in the community.

As part of the university’s Give Back week, students and staff were invited to do what they could to spread festive cheer and do their part in the season of giving.

Organised by the Volunteering and Mentoring team, donation stations were set up across the University’s sites in Chester collecting 184 items including 37kg of food which was distributed between the West Cheshire Foodbank, For Futures and Soul Kitchen Chester.

A Christmas card writing session was also held where students were able to write cards and send messages of kindness to elderly people living in three local care homes. More than 30 cards will be delivered in the run-up to Christmas to residents who may be suffering from social isolation.

Jo Morison, volunteering and mentoring manager at the university, said: “It is really heart-warming to see staff and students come together to think of others at this time of year.

“We couldn’t have done it without the support of the University’s library, reception, postal and caretaking teams as well as everyone who kindly donated or took the time to write a Christmas card.”