Oxford students throw Christmas party for elderly in Oxfordshire

30 November 2012

Oxford University students will host elderly people from Oxfordshire at a Christmas Party this Friday (30 November 2012). 

Jesus College students have invited around 50 elderly people to a party in the college from 11.30am to 1.30pm.

Christmas lunch will be served, students will play music and a raffle with prizes donated by Marks and Spencer will be held. Guests will also be given a tour of the college and chat to students.

Event organiser Cyrus Nayeri, a 3rd-year student reading Geography at Jesus College, said: ‘It is very important to the University and its students that we form close ties between colleges and the local community.  We are very keen to give back to the community by inviting people who may not have a chance to get out as much as they would like to meet students and have a tour of an Oxford college.’

Professor Andrew Hamilton, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford, said: 'Many students and staff are very involved in the local community and it is a major aim of the University of Oxford to live and work in harmony with our neighbours. This Christmas party is a great idea and I am sure that both the students and their guests will benefit from the day.'

The guests were chosen by Age UK Oxfordshire and a number live in St John’s Wood retirement home. Mr Nayeri raised the money for the event from the Jesus College’s Anthony Fletcher Innovation Award and an additional grant from his college.

Media are invited to attend the party. Please contact Cyrus Nayeri on 07754 287590 or cyrus.nayeri@jesus.ox.ac.uk .

For more information please contact Matt Pickles at the University of Oxford Press Office on 01865 270046 or matt.pickles@admin.ox.ac.uk