A COMMUNITY’S senior citizens were given the VIP treatment as caring students served up an afternoon of festive fun.
More than 180 pensioners enjoyed the yuletide treat at Longfield Academy’s annual Christmas party.
Elderly members from the community, including guests from local care homes and grandparents of students at Longfield Academy, were invited to join in the fun and games, including a raffle, bingo and a Christmas sing along with former resistant materials teacher Dave Hunton.
Health and social care and food technology students helped to serve up a full Christmas lunch including roast turkey, Christmas pudding and a glass of sherry, before guests were treated to entertainment provided by Longfield School band and choir and a sketch of this year’s school performance Our House.
“This is the 29th year that Longfield has invited its local senior residents to come into school to enjoy Christmas lunch with us,” said health and social care teacher Helen Frater.
“Every year the event gets bigger and bigger and it’s fantastic to see so many happy smiling faces coming back here each time.
“It’s also a wonderful opportunity for our students to get involved in helping older people within their local community.”
All party guests were presented with a goody bag full of Christmas treats to take home, which were donated by Longfield students.
Senior carer at North Park Care Home, Darlington, Sharon Hird accompanied Gwen Airey, Ivy Layton, Andree Jones and Jessie Klein to the party with activities co-ordinator Jayne Hughes.
“We’ve been bringing some of our ladies along for the past six years to Longfield’s Christmas party and they thoroughly enjoy it,” she said.
“They love the entertainment especially listening to the pupils singing as it reminds them of their own grandchildren and great grandchildren.
“I think it’s wonderful that the school cares so much about their local community to put on such a fabulous event.”
Health and social care student Carlie Appleton, 15, of Darlington, who helped to serve the Christmas lunches, added: “This is the first time I’ve been involved with the senior citizen Christmas party and I’ve really enjoyed it.
“It’s lovely to be able to interact with the older generation and see them out and about enjoying themselves at Christmas.”
