High Crags Primary Leadership Academy pupils spread winter warmth to local community

As the winter nights draw in and the temperatures plummet, pupils from High Crags Primary Leadership Academy are spreading seasonal cheer throughout their community by supporting local people through its Winter Gift Programme.

At High Crags Primary Leadership Academy, we pride ourselves on making a positive difference to society. We are committed to playing an active role in our community and helping others. This winter, we are stepping up our efforts to support the most vulnerable people in our community.

The Winter Gift Programme is an annual campaign which sees pupils and staff from every Star Academies school unite to participate in a broad range of charitable giving, acts of kindness and volunteering; all with one simple aim – to make sure no one faces the challenges of winter alone.

Throughout the campaign, we will be supporting those in our local community – young and old – who are unwell, elderly or living in care, and those experiencing homelessness, loneliness or food poverty. As well as benefitting vulnerable people, our pupils will also gain from their involvement by expanding their leadership qualities – by devising, organising and taking part in charitable endeavours – and experiencing first-hand the positive impact of helping those less fortunate.

Our pupils, families and staff have been generously donating gifts and festive treats to the school. A team of helpers has been carefully packing and decorating stunning gift hampers for the 45 residents of Hallcroft, a residential home close to the school. Pupils from the school have been building friendships with residents of Hallcroft over several years. They recently visited the home to add a sprinkling of kindness and joy amongst the elderly residents by performing songs for them. Following their festive performance, they presented the residents with handmade cards featuring messages of hope and kindness, and gifted each of them a hamper packed with gifts and treats.

The school’s regular foodbank will continue to open weekly during the winter months and the school will also distribute 30 food hampers a month to its most vulnerable local families, after receiving funding from Bradford Council’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

Helen Ray, Principal at High Crags Primary Leadership Academy, said:

“Our Winter Gift Programme not only supports the most vulnerable members of our community, but affords our pupils the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and to experience the personal satisfaction that comes from demonstrating kindness and helping those less fortunate. It gives me an enormous sense of pride to see our pupils, parents and colleagues embrace this invaluable campaign with such incredible compassion and generosity.”