College News

Valentine’s Equal Love Day

QE’s Student Association celebrated Valentine’s Day with a twist this year. They decided to celebrate Equal Love Day along with Valentine’s Day. The Equal Love campaign promotes awareness of equality and same sex marriages and, to achieve this, the Student Association invited Gay Advice Darlington (GAD) to work alongside QE’s REACT group -a group of students who meet weekly to debate local, national and global issues and who participate in human rights campaigns.

Beccy Stannard, Student Services Co-ordinator at QE, explains:

‘‘The REACT group and GAD had a stall to raise awareness of key issues and handed out sweets and gifts to celebrate Equal Love Day. In addition, the students raised money for Gay Advice Darlington and Stonewall, charities which raise awareness and support LGBT communities. The fundraising tied in well with QE’s celebration of LGBT month. “

To raise funds, the Student Association had a cake sale, selling love- themed cakes, biscuits, sweets and chocolates. First For Flowers in Cockerton kindly donated 50 Sorbet Avalanche roses in support of Equal Love Day. These were hugely popular, with both students and staff buying roses for their loved ones. There was also a raffle where a heart- themed sweet tree from Darlington Candy Canes, restaurant vouchers, hairdresser vouchers and much more were up for grabs

Karl Beaton, Equality and Diversity Co-Ordinator of the Student Association, concludes:

”Equal Love Day was a smashing success with £300 being raised for GAD and Stonewall. I was really impressed by everyone’s efforts and how much was donated to such worthy causes.  Thanks to everyone who got involved.”