How Preston students have helped build for the city’s most vulnerable

Three students taking on the Flatpack Challenge

Preston students have been putting their DIY skills to good use to help those in need in the city.

As part of an ice-breaking exercise first-year marketing students at the University of Central Lancashire put together beds, bookcases, desks and tables.

The items all go to Fulwood charity Gift 92 who help those in need in the city to furnish a home.

Dubbed the Flat Pack Challenge the 25 students had to make up the furniture while getting to know each other.

Advertising and marketing communications student Olivia Fishwick said: “The flat pack building experience for charity was not only a perfect ice-breaker, but also an amazing way to get all of us working together as a team. There’s something very gratifying about creating something from scratch, but even better when it is for a good cause.”

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Aysha Raichur, who is studying marketing management, said: “It felt like a very productive activity and we knew we were making a difference at the same time. We’ve all learned from each other and started to form new friendships.”

Gift 92 manager Matthew Metcalf said: “The charity works with a range of people in need including ex-homeless people, those escaping domestic violence and people who have been left with nothing after a house fire and need help to start again.

“It’s fantastic to see the students build and donate a range of brand new furniture that really will go towards helping someone build a stable home.

“We help around 900 people a year from all over Preston so hopefully this event will become a regular activity as it makes such a difference.”

The students with some of the items they made, being donated to Gift 92

Dr Adrian Wright, Academic lead for Marketing, Communications and Public Relations, organised the inaugural event.

He said: “We wanted to develop an activity that enabled our marketing students to get to know each other and their lecturers.

“We also wanted to underline the School’s commitment to ethical and sustainable management so we feel that the Flat Pack Challenge, in partnership with Gift 92 who will distribute the children’s furniture to a good home, will benefit both our marketing students and the local community.”