GLASGOW Caledonian University (GCU) Students’ Association is going door to door this Christmas to give elderly residents in the city’s west end a much-needed gift.

GCU students are taking part in the University Challenge: 100 Santa Sacks Appeal, an initiative created by Jacqueline McKie, co-chair of Woodside Community Council.

The idea behind the initiative is that collected food and toiletries delivered door to door as gifts are much more likely to reach those in need.

Jacqueline said: “I undertook research last year to find out more about food banks and discovered they are primarily used by those on fixed incomes and rarely by the elderly.

“Due to an impending forecast of a harsh winter, where the choice can be between heating and eating, I conceived the 100 Santa Sacks Project to focus on the elderly in a bid to deliver a bit of Christmas cheer.”

Students from the Glasgow University helped launch the initiative and raised 100 bags of food and toiletries with supporting funding from Woodside Community Council.

This year, Jacqueline approached GCU students to invite them to go head to head with Glasgow University to see who could raise the most items between November 2 and December 1.

Jodie Waite, Vice-President of GCU Students’ Association, said: “GCU students and staff have been engaging really positively with the 100 Santa Sacks Appeal, and there has been a fantastic atmosphere on campus.

“GCU is the University for the Common Good and our motto at GCU Students’ Association is ‘Be Part of Something Bigger’.

“Therefore, we consistently encourage students to get involved in projects that benefit the wider community.

“I’ve been overwhelmed by the response so far and look forward to the big reveal to find out what university has won.”

If donors want to hand in non-perishable items to be delivered to the elderly in Glasgow’s west end they have until December 1.

They can be handed into GCU Students’ Association on the second floor of the Association’s building.

Jacqueline added: “It is fantastic the students from both universities have embraced this appeal with such enthusiasm and when Jodie agreed that GCU would take part, as far as I am concerned, our community had already won.”