Mission Christmas Wrapped 2025: Lincoln College Unites to Make a Big Impact for Cash for Kids

This year, Cash for Kids East Yorkshire, Humberside & Lincolnshire received 10,172 applications for Mission Christmas, each submitted on behalf of a child living in poverty. In response, the Lincoln College Group stepped forward with compassion, creativity and collaboration to help ensure that no child wakes up without a gift on Christmas morning. 

Across Lincoln and Newark campuses, students and staff from seven curriculum areas - Catering & Hospitality, Hairdressing, Health & Social Care, Early Years, Media, Performing Arts and Automotive - joined forces to raise more than £1,300, enabling the College to provide carefully chosen gifts for teenagers aged 12–18. 

This fundraising effort was rooted firmly in learning and social action. Catering & Hospitality students transformed surplus lesson ingredients into a sustainable soup initiative at Sessions Restaurant, raising £138.71. Hairdressing learners held a lively salon event offering everything from colours to wash-and-blow-dries, resulting in a £205 contribution.  

Automotive students at both campuses carried out winter car checks for staff, raising £80 while developing practical, industry-relevant skills. Meanwhile, Health & Social Care and Early Years learners led a series of bake sales and pyjama days across both sites, generating an impressive £645 - the largest total from any curriculum area. Staff also supported the campaign through donations and collections at events held throughout the year. 

Once fundraising was complete, the focus shifted to gift-giving. Students from Health & Social Care, Hairdressing and Early Years visited local B&M stores to select age-appropriate presents, ensuring every donation felt thoughtful and festive. 

Early Years students also volunteered at Mission Christmas HQ, gaining insight into the huge community need while helping to sort and prepare gifts. Learners from multiple courses took part in Dash for Kids events in both Lincoln and Newark, bringing energy and encouragement to families and helping raise awareness of the cause. 

Mission Christmas also created outstanding work experience opportunities. Media student James Tomlinson supported the charity through photography and videography, capturing events including the Mission Christmas Stagecoach bus. Performing Arts student Milo Corlett-Slater brought the character Courage the Cat to life on the Cash for Kids bus tour, motivating donors and spreading festive cheer wherever he went. 

The campaign concluded with a celebratory visit from the Cash for Kids bus, which arrived on campus to collect the College’s donations. Students formed an enthusiastic team to load the bus with toys, toiletries and other carefully selected gifts. 

Mark Locking, Principal and CEO at the Lincoln College Group, said: “What a great morning it was filling the bus up with presents for festive joy for so many children and young people in our community. Well done to all students and staff involved in what was a massive team effort.” 

In total, Lincoln College and Newark College raised £1,300.71 through a varied programme of activity including soup sales, bake sales, automotive checks, salon events, open day collections and donations - showcasing the scale and diversity of the College’s commitment. 

Lincoln College’s Mission Christmas 2025 campaign highlights what can be achieved when students, staff and curriculum areas unite for a meaningful cause. Through their fundraising, volunteering and hands-on gifting, learners have not only supported thousands of local children but also developed confidence, creativity, employability skills and a deep sense of social responsibility. 

The countdown to Christmas Day is on - and there is still time to donate to Cash for Kids!