Exeter students help raise over £85k for British heart foundation

Residents at  Collegiate UK’s Exeter student accommodations this year donated over 4,000 bags of items to The British Heart Foundation (BHF), raising an impressive £85,239 for the charity this year alone.

The resident donations made through October 2023 to September 2024, totalling over 32,000 kilograms, were collected as part of BHF's "Pack for Good" campaign, demonstrating the continued commitment of Collegiate UK to supporting this vital cause.  The campaign is designed to encourage students to donate good quality, unwanted items such as second-hand clothes, utensils, electronic equipment, and books that can be resold to help fund research and, at the same time, cut down on waste going to landfill.

Since joining The British Heart Foundation campaign back in 2022, Collegiate UK has played a significant role in the "Pack for Good" scheme installing collection points across its 21 student accommodation locations. The collection points are set up at the end of each academic year, allowing students to donate their unwanted household items. To date, Collegiate UK has contributed over 57 tonnes of donated items, raising more than £142,534 for the charity.

These donations help stock BHF shops across the UK, with all proceeds going directly towards life-saving heart disease research. The scheme not only helps reduce waste but also supports the BHF’s mission to combat heart disease and promote heart health education.

Amanda Purkiss, BHF Partnership Manager said: “We have been delighted with the response from Collegiate UK students and their incredible support. Our shops rely on donations to continue raising money to fund lifesaving research. Thanks to the generous donations from the students and staff of Collegiate UK, we have been able to support our shops in local communities nationwide.”

Neil Burton, Managing Director of Collegiate UK, added, “Partnering with the British Heart Foundation is a fantastic way for us to give back to the community, and for students to contribute their unwanted items to a truly meaningful cause. Our commitment to making a difference extends beyond this campaign—whether through our ongoing mental health training for staff and residents, or our sustainability initiatives, we’re always looking for ways to support both the well-being of our residents and the wider community.”

Members of the public can also get involved by donating unwanted items to their local British Heart Foundation shops or drop-off points. Every donation makes a difference, helping to fund essential research and support for those affected by heart disease.

Collegiate UK remains committed to supporting the British Heart Foundation and will continue to provide donation bins at all its 21 PBSA locations. Through these ongoing efforts, Collegiate UK aims to raise even more funds for BHF, contributing to research and educational programs that benefit students and the broader community.