Gift 92 to share donations with Preston community
A local furniture charity can help a few extra people this week thanks to some handy students from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
First year marketing students put their DIY skills to the test as part of an ice-breaking team building activity to build beds, bookcases, desks and tables for Fulwood-based charity Gift 92. All items will then be given to people most in need to furnish a home.
A group of 25 students from the Lancashire School of Business and Enterprise were involved in first Flat Pack Challenge. The idea behind the activity was for the students to get to know each other and start to learn how to work together, while at the same time helping the local community.
Advertising and marketing communications student Olivia Fishwick said: “The flat pack building experience for charity was not only a perfect ice-breaker, but also an amazing way to get all of us working together as a team. There’s something very gratifying about creating something from scratch, but even better when it is for a good cause.”
Aysha Raichur, who is studying marketing management, commented: “It felt like a very productive activity and we knew we were making a difference at the same time. We’ve all learned from each other and started to form new friendships.”
"We help around 900 people a year from all over Preston so hopefully this event will become a regular activity as it makes such a difference."
Gift 92 Manager Matthew Metcalf was on hand to collect the furniture. He said: “The charity works with a range of people in need including ex-homeless people, those escaping domestic violence and people who have been left with nothing after a house fire and need help to start again. It’s fantastic to see the students build and donate a range of brand new furniture that really will go towards helping someone build a stable home.
“We help around 900 people a year from all over Preston so hopefully this event will become a regular activity as it makes such a difference.”
Dr Adrian Wright, Academic lead for Marketing, Communications and Public Relations, organised the inaugural event.
He said: “We wanted to develop an activity that enabled our marketing students to get to know each other and their lecturers. We also wanted to underline the School’s commitment to ethical and sustainable management so we feel that the Flat Pack Challenge, in partnership with Gift 92 who will distribute the children’s furniture to a good home, will benefit both our marketing students and the local community.”
