More than 250 advent calendars donated to those in need
Thoughtful junior school pupils from the Grammar School at Leeds have rallied round to donate a huge stack of advent calendars to a local food bank, aiming to bring a daily treat to all of Leeds’ families.
The children, aged between seven and 11-years-old, collected 267 advent calendars with the help of fellow pupils, teachers and parents, before they were handed over to the Leeds (North) Food Bank.
With demand for help from food banks expected to soar during the festive holidays, the chocolates are hoped to provide a small delight on top of the essential produce.
Leeds (North) Food Bank is one of a growing number of providers of emergency food across the city which is run under the banner of the Trussell Trust.
The organisation relies on volunteers and donations of food from individuals and businesses to supply families with food parcels at times of need.
Catherine Dodds, deputy head at GSAL Junior School, said it was a great initiative for the children to get behind and praised their efforts.
“We sent out an appeal in our weekly message to parents and the children responded with great enthusiasm, recognising that for some families even small luxuries like Advent calendars are unaffordable,” Ms Dodds said.
“They enjoy that little treat every day and were sad to think that some children might have to go without.”
Year 6, pupil Lizzie Bell, helped with the collection and added: “We are lucky enough to have Advent calendars and enjoy opening the door each day to see what chocolate there is inside.
“It gets more exciting every day nearer to Christmas and we wanted to help other children enjoy it too.”
