Students and staff have collected more than 300 gifts to this year’s Santa Appeal, organised by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council.

Contributions to the appeal are made in the form of gift bags that are distributed to children including those that are vulnerable and looked after, to ensure that children who would otherwise receive nothing, have presents to open on Christmas Day.

This year, the Students’ Union has collected 308 gift bags for the Santa Appeal - the largest amount we’ve ever collected, and it’s purely thanks to the generosity of USW students and staff.

Mishan Wickremasinghe, Students’ Union President said: “I am absolutely overwhelmed by the number of gift bags we have been able to collect for the Rhondda Cynon Taf Santa Appeal this year!  

“Christmas is a special time, especially for children and young people and the Santa Appeal is one example of how the Students’ Union supports our local community.

“It’s wonderful how this campaign creates a feeling of wellbeing and unity across all campuses with University departments including Estates, Catering and IT and local community group Soroptimists Pontypridd all contributing a large number of gifts."

“Thank you so much to all our generous students and staff who have thoughtfully chosen and donated gifts, and to our fantastic Students’ Union staff for coordinating the huge amount of donations every year.”