Students undertake huge fundraising drive in the run-up to Christmas

Students at St Thomas More Catholic High School have been busy with a huge fundraising drive during Advent - from selling bookmarks and raffle tickets to collecting food bank and soft toy donations.

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The efforts of the students have resulted in a packed minibus full of food products this morning going to local charities The Bay Foodbank and Walking With, which supports asylum seekers and refugees.

In addition, the Sixth Form had organised a food collection for the Salvation Army that was delivered this week.

Students had also undertaken a range of raffle activities before the end of term, with the chance to win sweets and the ‘Best Day Ever’ in school - with the lucky recipient able to choose their own special experience.

Other year groups sold bookmarks and soft toys to raise money for the local hospice St Oswald’s.

Staff at St Thomas More Catholic High School, which is part of Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, have also been participating in the fundraising efforts, with different departments choosing to collect specific items for the food bank such as teabags and canned goods.

St Thomas More chaplain Michael Thompson, who has been overseeing the Advent charity work, said it was an important part of the school’s ethos.

He said: “It is always important for our students to think of others at this time of year, especially for those who are less fortunate than themselves. 

“During Advent, we like to highlight the opportunity for both prayer and for giving.

“It is really important for us at St Thomas More to put our faith into action as a foundation for how we live out Gospel values.

“It is not just the words you say or the prayers you write, it is also about getting involved in charity work - that is the perfect way for us to demonstrate what it truly means to be a Christian in today’s world.

“That is the real driving force behind it, this represents what we are about as a Catholic school.”

He added: “We are extremely proud of the success of our students' fundraising and would like to thank everyone who participated in and supported this year’s Advent charity work.”