The university has embarked upon its largest volunteering project ever, Project Snowball, which aims to raise £63,000 for the refurbishment of the local scout retreat.
The funds will be used to renovate and refurbish the Snowball Plantation Activity Centre in Stockton on the Forest this June, which is the current home of the University’s flagship volunteering project, Kids Camp. These Kids Camps run three times a year, each providing 14 children with a much needed break thanks to the support of student volunteers.
“The Kids’ Camps that we run every year make a lasting difference to the lives of both to the children who attend and the student volunteers who give up their time to make it happen,” Student Activities Officer Chris West told Vision.
“Snowball Plantation has been a fantastic home for us, so it’ll be great to be able to give something back, and extend the range of activities on offer there.”
The project was successfully launched on Monday May 13, and since then the Facebook page has received over 400 likes.
West added: “We are incredibly happy with the way the launch went. The response has been really positive so far, with hundreds of Facebook likes, plenty of sign-ups for volunteers, and lots of word of mouth hype. I am very much looking forward to the delivery of the project in Week 8.”
The completion of the project will result in an extension of the facilities on offer at Snowball Plantation Activity Centre, including additions such as an archery range, traversing wall and rifle range.
Existing facilities will also be repaired and refurbished, as the 17-acre community centre will be converted into a facility where young people can develop and spend time away from home.
YUSU President Kallum Taylor told Vision: “We need members of the local community to get involved to help make this project a reality.”