Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
On the 12th day of Christmas caring kids helped those in need
Caring kids at a Coatbridge school put even Santa Claus to shame by going above and beyond to help the hungry and a charity that supports the elderly, vulnerable and isolated members of the community.
St Augustine’s Primary pupils responded to the school’s 12 Days of Giving Christmas appeal in aid of Stay Connected and Coatbridge Foodbank in “an astounding manner”.
For a 12-day period from the start of December, the kind-hearted children brought in a specific food item each day.
They then created posters and encouraged their families to get involved, with every day having a particular focus.
Day one was pasta or jars of sauce, day two tins of beans and day three custard or rice pudding, with many other items collected from there.
Astoundingly, the school collected 124 packets of pasta, 160 pasta jars, 294 packets of Super Noodles, 238 tins of beans, 251 tins of soup, 180 cans of tuna/ salmon, 210 tins of vegetables, 110 cans of tinned meat, 200 types of sweet treats, ranging from selection boxes to tinned chocolates, and more than 150 packets of biscuits.
Delighted head teacher Caroline Docherty said: “It is humbling to see the overwhelming generosity so evident in our community – and the contributions that made this appeal so successful.
“The great kindness shown will make a huge difference to families in need and that was what we hoped to achieve.
“We cannot say thank you enough to all our families for their support.”
Primary Seven pupils stated that they felt “proud, amazed, overwhelmed, emotional and even surprised” when they saw the food on display in all of its glory.
Father Michael Kane of St Augustine’s Parish Church said he’d “never seen such a response” and thanked the school community for coming together and responding to the appeal.