School collection hopes to provide Christmas boost for foodbank

Staff, students and families from Wellfield School are collecting in hundreds of items of food to be donated to the local foodbank.

The youngsters at the Wingate school welcomed their MP along to see for himself the work they have been doing.

Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield, said: “I had a really inspiring visit to Wellfield School where I met the pupils who have been collecting for the local foodbank.

“Met some lovely young people who are learning the importance of thinking of others who need the support of their community. Well done everyone.”

The students at the school, from all year groups, have been working hard to ensure people worse off than themselves will be able to have enough to eat over the festive period.

Antony Pearson, a geography teacher at the East Durham school, said he has been amazed by the generosity from everyone involved with the school.

He said so far they have hundreds of items donated and they will be collecting up until Friday, December 15, so there is still plenty of time to take along any items and leave them at the school reception area.

Mr Pearson, said the foodbank collection had been held at his previous school, so he mentioned doing it at the North Road East school and everyone was eager to join in.

He said: “It has been absolutely amazing so far, we have three huge trolleys of food and lots of other collections.

“The food will be distributed by the Durham Foodbank to people in the community. I have been overwhelmed with the success of it so far.

“The students thought it was a really, really good time to do something like this with it being so close to Christmas, because that is the time families are hit hardest.”

Mr Pearson said every single member of the school community has come on board and donated items.

He said: “I think it is fitting that our school motto is ‘go the extra mile’ because everyone is doing whatever they can for this.”

Anyone who would like to make a donation can take it along during school hours and leave it in the collection trolley near the entrance.

On Saturday, December 2, the school will also be hosting a vintage Christmas fair between 10am and 1pm.

There will be lots of stalls selling items and entertainment by a brass band.