HUNDREDS of kind-hearted students collected more than 60 Yuletide hampers to ensure festive cheer is shared across their town.
Thirty-five tutor groups at Haughton Academy, Darlington, hit the store cupboards with a vengeance as a school mobilised to help its community at Christmas.
A host of tasty treats and tinned goods were collected forming festive hampers that were donated to the King’s Foodbank in a school tradition that stretches back ten years. Donations will be distributed to families in the local area who struggle to make ends meet.
Teacher Liam Taylor said: “A great deal of time was spent by the children thinking about what families might need and want to improve their Christmas. We are really proud of the superb effort students put into this appeal which will make a real difference to people’s lives.”
Manager of the King’s Foodbank Caroline Todd said: “Last year we brought a couple of cars to collect the donations, this year we needed a van.
“The hampers are lovely and are wrapped as presents, which will mean so much to those people receiving them. We were impressed with how many students knew of the need for foodbanks.”
Haughton Academy head girl Gemma Challans, 15, said: “We have been encouraging students and have been amazed by how much they have brought in. It has been a really good project for students because, as well as helping a good cause, it has raised awareness about issues such as homelessness and poverty.”
