College News

QE students send 3000th lockdown letter

The Interact Club from QE have sent their 3000^th letter to members of the local community currently isolating due to COVID-19. The students began writing cards when lockdown was announced in March as a way of spreading hope and reducing loneliness with letters being sent to care homes and charities throughout the North East region. Soon, they were sending over 200 cards per week, determined to keep in contact with those they would usually visit on a regular basis. The group has also received hundreds of donations from online card retailer, Flamingo Paperie, to allow them to reach as many people as possible during the pandemic.

Joyce, who lives in Abbeyfield Darlington, explains: ‘The cards are absolutely delightful. I am going to have them all framed and cannot wait to see the students again when the pandemic is over’. Age UK North Yorkshire and Darlington adds: ‘The letters have gone down a treat with our hot meal recipients, thank you to everyone who has written one’.

Nancy Wall, Interact Club Co-ordinator, concludes: ‘I am so incredibly proud of how the students have continued to make a difference to peoples’ lives despite COVID-19 and lockdown. They have even received recognition from Darlington MP, Peter Gibson, for all of the tremendous work they have done. We are hopeful that we will be able to reunite with all of our friends within the community in the not too distant future’.

For more information on the Interact Club, please contact Nancy Wall (nwall@qeliz.ac.uk).