RAISING A TOAST

Helensburgh pupils give a big thank you to businesses and organisers who have donated to their Easter-themed lunch

CHILDREN at a Helensburgh school gave a big ‘thank you’ to the local businesses and organisations who donate to their Toast Club.

Pupils and teachers at Hermitage Primary hosted an Easter-themed lunch event where they treated donors to coffee, tea, cakes, and sandwiches and hand-made ‘thank you’ cards.

They also showcased how much the Toast Club means to the school community through a special video where pupils spoke of what they love about the group.

The group is run by the school’s health and wellbeing family liaison Madeline Paton, and additional support needs [ASN] assistant Arlene McNeilage.

Hermitage Primary head teacher Marianne Docherty said: “Parents have busy and hectic lives, and we also have an increasing number of children with additional needs and who have English as a second language.

“We thought that the Toast Club would maybe be for a targeted cohort, but because of the overwhelming community support, we’ve been able to make it a universal offer.

“It’s probably one of the best initiatives I’ve seen in a school it’s been life changing for a lot of families.

“There’s absolutely no stigma to who attends and the staff make it so upbeat and fun for the children.

“The club would not be possible without community support.”

The club provides a space for pupils of all ages and backgrounds to have breakfast and socialise before school starts.

The local branches of Tesco, Morrisons, and the Co-op as well as the Olio app regularly donate food to the club.

The Young Carers group generously gave the school toasters, while the Naval Children’s Charity awarded a grant to the group.

A volunteer also gives his time to help clean up the tables after the Toast Club ends.

Morrisons’ community champion, Brandon, said: “We donate bread, cheese, jam, and grapes every couple of weeks.

“It means a lot for Morrisons to help out and we’re very happy to see the impact we’ve had since community outreach is very important to us.”