New College Worcester (NCW) is excited to launch its festive fundraiser, Step Into Christmas, inviting the whole community to join staff and students as we take on the challenge of collectively walking 4,500 miles, the distance from NCW in Worcester all the way to visit the man in red at the North Pole!

The challenge officially begins on 14th December, kicking off a week of festive fun, movement, and community spirit as we rack up the miles together.

As part of the celebrations, staff and students will take part in a sponsored Christmas walk to Worcester Cathedral, where they will visit the beautifully decorated NCW Christmas Tree, proudly displayed as part of the Cathedral’s annual Christmas Tree Festival and adorned with stunning handmade decorations crafted by our talented students.

Throughout the week, we will be hosting a range of festive activities on campus to keep the steps, and the Christmas cheer, going strong. Supporters, families, and friends are encouraged to join in by tracking their own miles, donating, or cheering us on as we make our way (virtually!) toward the North Pole.

Every step taken helps raise vital funds for NCW, supporting our work with children and young people who are blind or vision impaired. With no other external funding streams, events like Step Into Christmas make a huge difference in helping us provide specialised equipment, enriching experiences, and a first-class learning environment.

This year, we are fundraising to support the cost of a new NCW minibus, an essential resource that enables our visually impaired students to access learning opportunities, sporting fixtures, community activities, and independent living experiences beyond the college campus. For both staff and students, having reliable and accessible transport is crucial in helping our young people gain confidence, explore the world around them, and take part fully in the experiences that shape their futures.

“Step Into Christmas is more than a festive challenge, it’s a chance for our whole community to come together and support something truly vital for our students” said Emma Williams, Fundraising Manager at New College Worcester. “Every mile walked and sponsored helps us get closer to funding a new NCW minibus, an essential piece of equipment that enables our visually impaired young people to access learning opportunities, build independence, and experience the world beyond campus. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone stepping up to help make this a reality.”

How to get involved

• Sign up online to take part in the challenge – visit: https://www.ncw.co.uk/step-into-christmas/
• Get sponsored to Step Into Christmas and help us reach our 4,500-mile goal
• Join the challenge by recording your miles throughout the week
• Sponsor our walkers or make a festive donation – visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/stepintochristmasncw
• Share your progress on social media using #NCWStepIntoChristmas

Let’s make this a December to remember—full of movement, magic, and miles!

For more information, please contact Fundraising on 01905 763933 or e-mail: fundraising@ncw.co.uk