“They have a far greater need than me” – student Anu donates shopping prize to Northampton’s homeless

A generous student who won bagfuls of groceries in a competition has donated the lot to a Northampton homeless charity.

Anu Ballagun scooped £40 of shopping in a competition run by the University of Northampton’s Financial Guidance team, and promptly gave it all away to Northampton Hope Centre, which supports the homeless and disadvantaged.

Anu, who is working towards a postgraduate certificate in Psychological Wellbeing Practice, was keen to support a charity she knows all too well.

She said: “I worked for the National Citizens Service in Northampton a couple of years ago and from my time there I got to find out all about the good work the Hope Centre does. When I found out I had won the shopping, I knew I should donate it to the centre, as the people who use it have a far greater need for it than me.”

Hope Centre Community Fundraiser, Tanya Haji-Miller, said: “We were astounded by Anu’s generosity. All the items she has donated to us will go towards feeding people in our community who are homeless or disadvantaged. Thank you Anu.”

Anu won the prize after entering a competition to guess the difference in cost between baskets of branded and non-branded shopping. The price difference was £23.41, with Anu’s estimate being just nine pence out.

The competition was held to coincide with National Student Money Week, which promotes the student finance advice, guidance and support offered to applicants, students and graduates by universities, colleges and Students’ Unions across the UK.

Victoria Bull, Development Officer within the Financial Guidance team, said: “The aim of the competition was to highlight a quick and easy way that students can save money by choosing value brands when grocery shopping.

“We were surprised, but also very impressed by Anu’s kind and generous donation of her food basket winnings to those less fortunate within our local community.”

You can find out more about the Hope Centre by visiting its website.