Smithdon’s Christmas appeal delivers mountain of donations for food bank

Students at Smithdon High School have collected a mountain of essential items for a food bank charity.
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The Hunstanton secondary school, one of 50 schools in the country confirmed by the government to receive multi-million pound investment to be rebuilt, has been gathering supplies for the past four weeks in support of the local Trussell Trust supported food bank.

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The students also came up with some innovative ways to boost donations, such as holding a ‘tin can castle’ competition to encourage canned goods to be brought in,

Some forms also used a "reverse advent calendar" with the food bank’s most needed items highlighted behind each window.

The library at Smithdon, a member of the West Norfolk Academies Trust, was used as a collection point for items such as shampoo, soup, tinned fruit and jam.
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School librarian Marie Taylor, who organised the collection, said: “I am so proud of the kindness and generosity shown by the staff, our students and their families who have donated and supported this important cause."

A mountain of boxes and shopping bags crammed full of essential items was delivered to St Edmund's Church Hall by Amanda Gibbins, head of school, along with head girl Caitlin and senior ambassador Oliver.

The donations were gratefully received by the Reverend James Munro and two of the volunteers from the food bank.

Mrs Gibbins said it is hoped Smithdon High, which has seen increasing numbers on its roll and growing demand for places, has beaten last year's collection of 241kg of goods.

She added: “I am so proud of how much the Smithdon High School community has been able to collect.

“At this time of year when financial pressure is on families to a greater extent, here at Smithdon we feel it is important to try to help our local community - and teach the students to understand the same.

"We look forward to collecting even more next year, in a tradition we will endeavour to continue for as long as it is needed."