The event saw over 150 students take part in a variety of activities across Sheffield, making it the University's biggest one-off volunteering event of the year.

Just Do It took place from March 14-15, across a range of projects in the city. The event provided a unique opportunity for students to donate a day of their time to make a difference to the area they live in.

A number of students volunteered in Firshill to create a 'Walking Wonderland' along the route used by a Walking Bus to St Catherine's School. By creating painted boards, using images the children had designed, the project will help encourage more children to use the Walking Bus, thereby keeping them healthy and cutting down on pollution and congestion in the area.

Students from the Endcliife Student Village were put to work at Heeley City Farm, as they built a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through the wildlife garden. The volunteers spent the day digging post holes, laying decking and erecting safety rails to provide wheelchair access to all areas of the site.

A group of students from the City Campus were given the task of jet-washing, gardening and painting at Shortbrook Primary School. This helped create a cleaner environment for outdoor learning activities and also provided the children with the opportunity to grow and harvest their own food.

Pauline West, from the Firshill Tenants and Residents Association, said:

"I am so thrilled that students from the University of Sheffield came to help us with this project, and I will not be able to thank them enough on behalf of the children who use the 'Walking Bus' and the residents of Firshill Estate. The creations they made look fantastic and we are sure it will encourage more children to use the Walking Bus."

Sara-Jade Pragasam, a student who volunteered on this project, said:

"It's good to be able to give something back to the community in Sheffield whilst we are living and studying here. The Just Do It event provides a great way to do this as teams join together to complete a task with instant results by the end of the day!"

Stella McHugh, Manager of SheffieldVolunteering, said:

"The Just Do It event is a great chance for students to make a lasting difference to the community they are living in whilst at University. A range of projects were completed in this year's event which will have a really positive impact on local people. I am very grateful to the students who took part, and believe is has encouraged them to participate in future volunteering activities."

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