School pupils box up festive cheer
APRIMARY school’s festive box collection will put a smile on the faces of 50 pensioners this Christmas time.
St Mary’s RC Primary, in Clayton-le-Moors, are making boxes for the local elderly to open on Christmas Day.
The children, family and local companies have been helping the Devonshire Drive school get items to go in the boxes, which will be handed out by Hyndburn district nurses all within the Covid-safe guidelines.
Headteacher Michael Mashiter said: “We are really concerned as a school that so many of these people will see nobody on Christmas Day and we want to bring some light and joy into their lives by reminding them that we care for them. As a Catholic school, we pride ourselves on looking after the welfare of others and this is a very important charity focus for us leading up to Christmas.”
The idea was the brainchild of St Mary’s business support officer Miss Deborah Schofield. She was inspired to do this after seeing the amount of charity work that the St Mary’s GIFT Team (formerly known as Chaplains) do for local residents and charities.
A spokesperson for the school said: “We will make sure the boxes go to the people who need them the most. We feel it would be beneficial and lift their spirits over the festive period.”
They are looking for items such as biscuits, cup a soups, hot chocolate, coffee sachets, teas, puzzle books, and gifts suitable for elderly ladies or gentlemen. If you would like to contribute you can drop off an item at the school office.
The parcels will be packed at the end of November and distributed in the two weeks before Christmas. They will also contain a handwritten letter from a child at St Mary’s telling them a bit about themselves and wishing them a Happy Christmas. It is hoped that this can be the start of a two-way relationship between the school and the elderly.
For any further information email dschofield@ s t - mar ys- clayton- l emoors.sch.uk.lancs.sch. uk or call 01254 231277.