Students lead the way for Ukrainian Appeal at SERC

Students from SERC have risen to the call for support in aid of the Ukraine crisis.

Level 3 Extended Diploma Protective Services students took the lead in organising a college-wide appeal for donations with support from the College’s Students’ Union.   The young people provided a list of items required, organised collection points across College Campuses in Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards, set up a Just Giving page and organised a bucket collection on the final donation day.

Irwin Pryce, Lecturer and Coordinator for the Protective Services course said, “The students have worked tirelessly over the past few days sorting donations and lifting collections.  We have all been overwhelmed by the generosity and support from our students, staff and the local community who have got behind our efforts.  

He added, “Local businesses such as Nationwide, Harrisons of Greyabbey and Storehouse North Down took it upon themselves to collect on our behalf, whilst others volunteered vital transport to central sorting hubs. A local community Pilates group heard about the project and came along to help alongside students and staff throughout the College."             

All donations have now left the College and will be in the hands of those who desperately need them within a week.    Working with central collections points in Dromore and Ballymena, donations are destined for bordering towns in Romania, Poland and Slovakia for displaced Ukrainian refugees who have had to leave their homes with barely more than the clothes on their backs.  

Irwin concluded, “I’m proud of the students and the compassion of the local community and would like to thank everyone for their support.”

There is still time to donate to SERC’s JustGiving page on behalf of the British Red Cross 

SERC SU is fundraising for The British Red Cross Society (justgiving.com)