NSCG Students and Staff Donate Hundreds of Gifts for Local Charity Toy Drive

Our Early Years classroom currently resembles Santa’s workshop thanks to the charitable efforts of staff and students who have been collecting gifts for the annual Alice Charity toy drive.

Every year, hundreds of brand new toys are generously donated to the appeal which helps towards ensuring no local child goes without a present on Christmas morning.

For nearly a decade, dedicated Early Years Tutor at Newcastle College, Jayne Dale, has been spearheading the campaign within the College. She said: “We’ve been collecting donations for the Alice Charity for about nine years now and the difference it makes is huge.

“The donations start coming in after the summer holidays and I’m always blown away by the efforts of the students and staff who go that extra mile to help.”

The Alice Charity helps disadvantaged and vulnerable families within Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme, providing emotional and practical support, for as long as it’s needed.

Helping struggling families at Christmas, the charity collects brand new gifts for children and young people up to 18-years-old with donated gifts ranging from Barbie’s and Play Doh to toiletries and perfume.

Jayne and the department’s charitable efforts go far beyond Christmas with Jayne rallying the students to get involved with raising vital funds and donations throughout the year.

“We do a lot of food drives throughout the year and also hygiene, anything that the charity is in need of to help support vulnerable families.

“The students are always brilliant and always want to do what they can, as do the staff.”

Jayne expressed her gratitude, saying, "We’re extremely thankful to all the staff and our amazing students for getting behind the campaign and donating so many gifts.

“Every year I am blown away by everyone’s generosity. Everyone is feeling the pinch at this time of year so we really are grateful to all the staff and our amazing students for getting behind the campaign and donating so many gifts.”