Hi, my name is Maggie McDowell - I am a PhD student at Durham University and I teach criminology in the School of Applied Social Sciences.  My research explores female homelessness within the region from the perspective of both homeless women and homeless service providers.  In the last two years, I have organised several clothing appeals for the homeless in which students and staff across the university donated unwanted items of clothing to a homeless charity.  This time i'm teaming up with a close friend (Laura Burdon) and doing a tandem skydive to raise money for the homeless charity Changing Lives.  Laura offered to participate in this event in order to raise awareness of and money for the service.  The skydive will take place at Shotton airfield on Saturday 21st February 2015 from 9am onwards - you're welcome to come along and support us personally.  Our target is £1000 so we really need your help to reach this - all donations, big or small are welcome.  Thanks.

Links to previous appeals:

Appeal in December 2014

·         The Northern Echo

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/NEWS/11649862.Donations_flood_in_for_annual_clothes_appeal/

·         Durham Times

http://www.durhamtimes.co.uk/news/11649862.Donations_flood_in_for_annual_clothes_appeal/

·         Her Campus – Durham University

http://www.hercampus.com/school/durham/changing-lives-fundraiser-maggie-mcdowell

Appeal in December 2013

• Durham Times

http://www.durhamtimes.co.uk/news/10889452.Helping_the_homeless_at_Christmas/

• The Northern Echo

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/10889452.Helping_the_homeless_at_Christmas/

• The Chronicle

http://www.my-rss.co.uk/feeditem.php?feed=0&word=&search=&item=206696

Appeal in June 2013

• Palatinate – Durham’s Independent Student Newspaper

http://www.palatinate.org.uk/?p=40696

• The Northern Echo

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/northdurham/durham/10489433.Students_collect_clothes_for_homeless_people/

• Sunderland Echo

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/education/students-help-for-the-homeless-1-5796541

Appeal in December 2012

• Sunderland Echo

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/education/scholar-s-research-inspires-help-for-the-homeless-1-5233194

• Hartlepool Mail

http://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/news/local/research-led-to-appeal-1-5233273

• The Journal

http://www.thejournal.co.uk/news/north-east-news/study-turns-up-heat-homeless-4399537