Eight second-year Teesside University students are currently running a three-week campaign, hoping to raise as many donations as possible for local charity A Way Out.
Based in Stockton-on-Tees, A Way Out was founded in 2002 and has, in their own words, been aiming to bring ‘love, hope and freedom’ to those at risk, including women, children, and families.
The charity covers a wide range of struggles, helping service users with problems such as addiction, self-harm, and exploitation.
On the 27th of November, the students will hold an event in the University’s Students’ Union collecting Christmas food with longevity, selection boxes, toiletries, toys. Cash donation buckets will also be available on the day.
Alternatively, monetary donations can be made through Virgin Money Giving: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/AWayOutThisChristmas
The campaign will focus strongly on helping the charity over what is undoubtedly set to be a busy time for the charity.
With just over a month until Christmas, Anita Burke, General Manger of A Way Out, described the period as a “special time” for the charity.
“We want to be able to create a family atmosphere because a lot of the people we work with don’t usually get to benefit from that family Christmas that many of us experience.
“So, we try and have a Christmas celebration where each one of our clients will receive a gift.
“Whether that be a selection box, a toiletries gift, jewellery, a piece of clothing, just that very simple thing lets them know that people in the area are aware of their plight.”
If you want to find out more about the charity, please visit: https://www.awayout.co.uk/
ABOUT ME
Hello, my name is Olly Burdett and I am a Multimedia Journalist in the final year of my degree at Teesside University.
Course
Sport Journalism, BA (Hons)
Biography
Having written passionately about football before my time at Teesside University, I decided to make the move from Hull to Middlesbrough to expand my journalistic skills and capabilities. During the last three years, my interests in journalism have changed significantly. After experiencing the high levels of homelessness in the town and discovering the shocking statistics around male suicide in the North East, I decided I wanted to move away from sport slightly and instead report on issues that I believe really mattered. Additionally, politics has dominated our day-to-day lives recently and despite finding it difficult to keep track of it all, I have become incredibly interested in what is happening in both our country and the world. I haven’t completely lost my passion for sport though. A lot of my recent content now looks at the relationship between sport and mental health.
Software & Hardware Proficiencies
I am an Adobe Certified Associate in Visual Design using Adobe Photoshop. I am also skilled in other Adobe software such as Audition and Premiere Pro. I am equipped at using video cameras such as the AC-90.
Employment, Work Experience & Volunteering
I have experience of producing work for both Sky News and BBC Tees. I have also carried out work for Middlesbrough Football Club, Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation and Tees Valley Sport. I voluntarily worked as a Social Media Manager for Stockton-based charity A Way Out as part of their 2018 Christmas campaign.
Interests
Despite studying on a Sport Journalism course, I have a huge interest in a different number of topics.
During my time at Teesside University, I have created content around current affairs and politics, as well as mental health.
One thing that I believe really shows in my content is that I love learning about new topics and issues to increase both my knowledge and flexibility. Who knows what I will post about next?
