Year 7 Helping to support local families this Christmas

Some of you already might be aware of the phenomenal contribution Manic Ceramics owner Debs Bonfield on behalf of Hertfood has been making to our wider community during these times of uncertainty and for many, hardship. Back in March at the start of lockdown, Debs identified a real need to help local families needing a bit of extra support, appealing to the local community via social media to donate food and other essentials which she and her small team received, packaged up and delivered throughout the community. This Christmas, Debs has made it her mission to reach out to primary schools in Ware and Hertford (and beyond), identifying children and their families who might need some help in making their Christmas special this year, supporting over 700 local families this year with food, essentials and gifts.

Our Year 7 girls have enjoyed being a part of this very special project, with each form being allocated a family to support. Each form’s charity representative/s (or charity team in some cases!) set to work organising, planning and sharing ideas and over the past few weeks the girls have been bringing in food and other essential items, Christmas ‘hamper’ items and gifts for the children in their ‘family’. It has been wonderful to see the girls so inspired and keen to help others and each form has worked incredibly hard as a team, even having meetings with their classmates over Google Meet in some cases to include those who have been self-isolating.

Rosie Westney in 7VW has written a little more about how her form approached the challenge:

“This year Presdales was asked to support local families in need. 7VW were asked to help a father and two sons, aged six and nine. The charity reps asked the form to donate up to five pounds each and share their ideas of what to buy to help the family this Christmas.

After collecting a total of £123.80 and putting together a long list of ideas, it was time to go shopping! They filled their trolley to the brim with food, toys, and essential household items.

The Tesco store at Cheshunt was amazing! The reps spoke to the in-store Community Champion Lyn Youthed, who generously gave them extra toys and food. It is hoped that the efforts of 7VW will make a difference to the lives of that family this Christmas.”

Thank you so much to the girls for their dedication to this wonderful community project.

Above are photos of 7VW’s shopping trip items, 7NP sharing their contributions with friends on Google Meet and 7FG with their beautifully wrapped gifts all ready to go!

Below are Year 7 contributions packaged up and delivered this week and a picture of all the gifts ready to go from Debs!