Kind students provide hampers
STUART PIKE
SCORES of hampers full of Christmas cheer were created by students from Haslingden High School and distributed in the community.
Over four days, staff and students delivered hampers, toys and food that had been collected as a school.
Religious studies teacher Lisa Southee said: “We have donated 20 luxury hampers to local elderly residents, residents who needed a little Christmas cheer and some families of students from our school.
“Each hamper was filled with luxury mince pies, Christmas puddings, biscuits, wine, sherry, chocolates and tinned goods.”
The school also donated more than 40 bags of tinned food, four large boxes of treats, several bags of essentials and two boxes of toys to RAFT and Maundy Relief.
Miss Southee said: “We donated special hampers designed for the M3 project, which works closely with young homeless people and young parents.
“We also donated items to Haslingden Community Link, which works with a number of students and families from our school.
“We had the absolute pleasure to drop off the brand new toys, gifts and two very special hampers for women at the refuge in Manchester. We have been able to provide care packages for Coffee 4 Craig Homeless Charity.
“Rucksacks filled with warm clothing, brand new hats, scarves and gloves, thermal socks, toothpaste, toothbrushes, razors, sanitary products, underwear, flasks and sleeping bags. In addition we have four bags full to bursting with toiletries.”
And the students didn’t forget pets, as a large number of treats, toys, two dog beds and lots of dog food were donated to Rochdale Dog Rescue.
Miss Southee said: “A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated or motivated their form groups.
“It was a very humbling experience being able to deliver the items. Several people were moved to tears on receiving their package.
“Charities have been overwhelmed by the generosity of Haslingden High School.
“The students involved in dropping the hampers off made it very clear that the feeling of helping others was ‘fantastic’ and ‘great’ and one said, ‘Miss, it makes you feel lucky when you realise you are able to help others.’”
The Outreach Team at Haslingden Community Link thanked the school and said the donated hampers had been given to local families to make their Christmas that ‘little bit extra special’.
Jayne Turner, from M3 Project, said: “On behalf of M3 Project, and the young people we work with, I would like to say a huge thank you to all the students and staff at the school for the wonderful hampers.
“They have been greatly appreciated and we are moved by your generosity.”