All wrapped up in kindness: HNC’s annual Christmas appeal for One Big Family launches
12.11.2026Today HNC welcomed Sam and Natalie from One Big Family to share more about the work of the charity and mark the launch of our Christmas appeal which sees our College community collecting donations for the One Big Family annual Christmas gift box appeal.
One Big Family are a small local charity that works to support homeless and vulnerably housed individuals, working with them to offer whatever support they might need, including emotional and practical support. Every Christmas the charity work to provide those they support a Christmas gift box packed with something to keep warm, easy to prepare foodstuffs, hygiene products and a festive treat.
Now in its fourth year, the College runs an annual One Big Family appeal, collecting donations and making up as many shoeboxes or gift bags as possible. Our staff and students do this in many ways, from donating one or two items to working together to make up a box or gift bag themselves. A full list of items that we are collecting can be found below.
Catherine Cushnie, Assistant Principal comments: “Homelessness is not an easy topic, and we would like to thank Sam and Natalie for coming in to share how the definition of homeless extends beyond seeing someone sleeping on the streets. We also appreciated their insight into how supporting someone is often not as easy as sourcing a place to sleep, and learning more about how they work to ensure everyone they helped is treated with dignity and respect.”
“Every year the response to our appeal has grown and grown, and we are so proud of how our community comes together to make a difference to those who are homeless during the festive season and beyond. We know from the charity that these small acts of kindness have a huge impact on those the charity supports, and these boxes are something that the recipients really do appreciate. Our Student Council already have so many imaginative ideas planned for our annual appeal, and I look forward to once again seeing our College values of kindness, passion and empathy coming to life as part of this year’s efforts.”
Items that we are collecting:
- Easy to prepare foodstuff e.g. tins of tuna, pot noodles, instant porridge oats, soup
- Something to keep warm such as hats, gloves, scarves, underwear and socks (must be new and unused)
- Hygiene products – shower gels, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorants, shampoo (no mouthwash, razors or hand sanitiser)
- Baby wipes
- Small festive treats such as a chocolate santa, sweets, biscuits, festive gift sets (no alcohol or alcohol flavoured products please)
Donations can be dropped off by students in Reception.
New Hey Road, Huddersfield, HD3 4GL
