7 to 10 December was the College’s annual charity and Christmas celebrations week that’s been adapted for Covid times and themed ‘Giving and Gratitude Week’.

Christmas cheer and goodwill were in abundance, with members of the Students’ Union, Student Mentoring team along with the staff Wellbeing team braving the cold to run an outside event focused on giving and gratitude boards, sweet treats stall, and donation collection points for the College’s three nominated charities: Age Concern, Loveworks and the Wellingara Nursery in the Gambia.

Lower Sixth and Intermediate students have been supporting the Age Concern charity in Merstham, by making up gift bags in their tutor groups. These are destined for local, elderly people, many who’ve been self-isolating since March and won’t be receiving gifts or visits over the Christmas period.

Jo Driscoll, Director of Mental Health and Wellbeing, commented, “It’s incredible to see how generous our students and their families have been. We’ve collected around 80 gift bags in total and it’s a great feeling knowing that this number of elderly people are going to get a much-needed lift this Christmas. It’s been really rewarding witnessing how our tutor groups have worked together. Making our collections ‘Covid safe’ has had its challenges but where there’s a will, there’s definitely a way”.

Upper Sixth students have been collecting non-perishable food and essential items for the Reigate based Charity Loveworks, as well as donating stationery items and young children’s clothes for the Wellingara Nursery School in the Gambia.

Paul Mendy who works as part of the College Estate team, who forged the link between Reigate College and the Wellingara Nursery over twenty years ago said, “The clothing and stationery items will make a huge difference to many children and their families and I’d like to thank everyone for their incredible support”.

Wendy Gregory, Community Coordinator added, “The free candy, biscuits and hot chocolate definitely hit the spot for all our gorgeous students, during what’s been a super cold week.”

See the full photo gallery here.

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