BIG-HEARTED staff and students at Buckinghamshire New University have donated a range of useful items to help the homeless this Christmas.

The Students’ Union at the High Wycombe-based university covered shoeboxes in wrapping paper for the charity Wycombe Winter Night Shelter.

More than 40 shoeboxes in the ‘Hampers for the Homeless’ initiative were filled with items including socks, jumpers, hats and scarves, as well as male toiletries, books and stationery.

Wycombe Winter Night Shelter is run by Wycombe Homeless Connection, a charitable trust providing support and advice to those who are homeless in the community.

Jane Bower, Volunteering and Societies Coordinator at Bucks Students’ Union, said: “It has been an amazing effort by everyone at the University and thanks to all those who contributed.

“We think it is extremely important to help those less fortunate than ourselves at Christmas and we hope plenty of people will feel the benefit of these donations.”

Ali Preston, Project Coordinator at the charity, said the donations were "much-needed".

She said: “They are really lovely presents, wonderfully wrapped, and it shows all the guys we deal with that people really do care at Christmas.

“The Homeless Shelter gives people somewhere warm to go in the winter months and they will be able to enjoy these very practical and useful presents. It is all very much appreciated.”