Oxford Saïd has donated 330 items from colleagues, collected in just two weeks for a Christmas appeal by our new charity partner, Be Free Young Carers
The School's Dean, Professor Soumitra Dutta, presented the items to the charity at our site in Park End Street, which will help make life just a little easier for carers aged eight to 17 across Oxfordshire this festive period.
Thanks to the efforts of colleagues, the School was able to give a host of items, including fluffy socks, hot water bottles, eye masks, sleep spray, chocolates and shower gels.
Commenting on the donation, Dean Dutta said: ‘While we are a global business school with an international outlook, we are very much grounded within our local Oxford community. Supporting children and young people across Oxfordshire who find themselves with caring responsibilities for a loved one is such a compelling cause, it was great to see our School community rally behind this appeal in such a short space of time. We appreciate the burden these young people carry, and I hope the many items we have collected will help spread some Christmas cheer to them.’
The All I Need for Christmas appeal invited donations of specific non-perishable items to fill Christmas hampers for young carers. A team from Be Free Young Carers, including its CEO Sabiene North, visited the School to collect the items. Sabiene said: ‘Thank you all so much to people at Saïd Business School for their support and contribution to our Christmas appeal - it has made such a difference!’
Anna Blas Luna and Sarah Ellner, co-chairs of the Business School’s charity team, said: ‘This donation has shown amazing collaboration by so many people and we know how well received and helpful young carers across the county will find what has been given.’
Be Free Young Carers offers support and advice dedicated to improving the lives and well-being of young carers and are currently the only specialist charity supporting children and young people aged eight to 17 years old with a caring role in Oxfordshire. They provide advice and guidance, offer befriending and peer support, which allows young carers to meet, socialise and have fun, increasing their self-confidence and improving their mental well-being. They also work with local schools to educate and offer guidance from referrals to respite opportunities.