UWL student volunteers on a cruise down the River Thames
UWL student volunteers on a cruise down the River Thames

UWL students who volunteer with Hounslow Community FoodBox enjoy a cruise down the Thames

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Nine University of West London students who volunteered with local charity Hounslow Community FoodBox during the last year joined other volunteers and supporters on a riverboat cruise down the Thames recently thanks to Chiswick Pier Trust.

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UWL student volunteers on a cruise down the River Thames

The cruise set sail from Chiswick Pier at 2pm on Tuesday 27 August, with a send-off from Madam Mayor of Hounslow Cllr Karen Smith. More than 40 passengers were onboard, volunteers coming together to celebrate a successful year. The cruise travelled all the way down to Westminster, with the helpful captain pointing out famous landmarks and sharing key facts about the Thames and its history. He even spotted a seal and managed to get everyone’s attention just in time to catch it swimming off. 

Hounslow Community FoodBox is a volunteer-run charity providing emergency food, support and advice to people living in the London Borough of Hounslow. Since 2022, fifty UWL students have volunteered to support their efforts, giving their time, enthusiasm and hard work to help out. 

At the 2023 UWL Volunteering Awards, Hounslow Community FoodBox were recognised for their commitment to the community and to student volunteering opportunities. They continue to be a strong partner for the University, offering students the chance to make a significant difference in the area with whatever time they have.

UWL student volunteers on a cruise down the River Thames

We are so grateful for all the support FoodBox receives from so many parts of the community. This generous show of appreciation for the work that FoodBox does was hugely enjoyed and appreciated by everyone on board, and by those who had other commitments on the day,” 

said Operations Manager at Hounslow Community FoodBox Sunny Kharbanda.

MA Criminology student Sacha Phoenix Alexander commented,

The boat trip was incredibly fun. It was lovely seeing so many people including some that I already knew from other volunteering opportunities. The weather was perfect for it, and I had a lovely day."

MA Business Administration student Keerat Sandhu added,

The riverboat cruise was an amazing experience, made even better by knowing we were supporting such a worthy cause. It was a day to remember, especially meeting the Mayor of Hounslow!” 

If you are interested in volunteering, visit the Hounslow Community FoodBox website to learn more and get in touch if you would like to support them, or contact thevteam@uwl.ac.uk. 

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