A SCHOOL community came together in a stunning display of kindness as it collected a record number of festive hampers to help a hard-pressed food bank.
One hundred and eleven larger-than-normal boxes were amassed by Haughton Academy, part of the Education Village, Darlington, packed with provisions for the King's Church Food Bank, in Whessoe Road.
Students, staff, and their families went to extraordinary lengths to collect groceries and presents to support families who may be struggling at this time of year – even donating for their pets.
They helped church volunteers load a van full with goodies at a time when all of the town's food banks are coming under greater pressure to support local families.
The food parcels were the culmination of a term of activities organised by Haughton Academy to support the local community.
Head girl Niamh Adey, 16, said: "We have come together as a community in this act of generosity. It shows how committed we all are to ensuring everyone has a happy Christmas."
Senior prefect responsible for charity fundraising Mannat Bura added: "It is astounding how much we have received considering there is a cost-of-living crisis and everyone is struggling. It is a massive achievement to do this. Even if people donate a single tin, once this is added to by the rest of the class it becomes a hamper. The teachers have also been bringing donations in which is very generous."
Kings Church Food Bank is one of eight in the town striving to help people feed themselves and their families.
Volunteer Gary Todd said: "It has been a tough year for the church which is having to carry on without sufficient funds. The need is greater than ever and we are doing our utmost to keep it going.
"Haughton has donated even more than last year and it will go a long way to help this Christmas and the period afterwards. Everyone is struggling because of the cost-of-living crisis. Life is becoming more and more difficult and I cannot thank Haughton enough."
Head of RE and PSHE Amie Alderson, who, along with the prefects and tutors, co-ordinated the collection, said: "I love giving back to the community as a school. It is a great way of strengthening our students' sense of community and belonging."
Haughton Academy principal Jane Darbyshire said: "It has been completely overwhelming to see the generosity of our school community in helping us collect so many hampers – especially Mrs Malone and Miss Deakin's tutor groups who donated six and five hampers, respectively. Our whole team of staff and students were determined to make a difference and show how much our school cares for our wider community.
“We have discussed with students that, whilst receiving a present is nice, it is more important to be in the presence of one another and value the special times we will share with those we love and care for, be that family, carers, our friends, or our wider community.
“We sincerely hope that our efforts across this term have supported local families to have a happy, peaceful Christmas and winter break."
The donation was the latest in a string of community activities which included:
- visiting A&E, urgent care and paediatric units in Darlington and Bishop Auckland and donating books and advent calendars;
- taking postcards and biscuits to nursing homes and staging cake and conversation sessions;
- kindness week, incorporating random acts of kindness for fellow pupils, staff and the wider community, including writing postcards with messages of appreciation;
- school philanthropist Brooke Abbott running car boot sales to raise money for charity;
- sports leaders supporting younger students to find confidence in their sporting talent;
- form captains' charity days;
- Children in Need events;
- prefects serving Christmas lunch to pupils at Springfield and Beaumont Hill academies;
- hosting a Macmillan charity cake morning.