Students from Sir Robert Woodard Academy have prepared Christmas hampersStudents from Sir Robert Woodard Academy have prepared Christmas hampers
Students from Sir Robert Woodard Academy have prepared Christmas hampers

Lancing students prepare Christmas hampers for families in need of a festive boost

A school in Lancing has been busy preparing Christmas hampers for families in need of a little help over the festive period.

Students from year seven to 13 at the Sir Robert Woodard Academy donated enough food and drink items for 44 hampers, which were then delivered to the family homes of nominated students.

A huge donation of food was also received from local company Loxley Food Service.

The project was organised by the school chaplain Paul Sanderson and Cheryl Bailey, the Catering Manager, who delivered the hampers after they were carefully compiled by sixth form students on Wednesday.

Anne Morley, careers and sixth form pastoral, said: “Following on from the free school meals and Marcus Rashford campaign, it’s a way to help families at Christmas.”

Jane Everett, head of sixth form, said the school had noticed more and more students qualifying for free meals and that it was nice to be able to offer families ‘something a bit more than the basics’.

“I’m been really impressed by the way that the families who could contribute have done and the way the sixth formers helped out,” she said.

“It helped bring them together. Things are tough in school, the whole term there have been so many restrictions and regulations.

“There’s a lot of worry in their minds, so it’s lovely to see them focus on something a bit more fun.

“I think also they feel like they can give back to the community.”