PUPILS from Stackpole VC School have been busy getting ready for Christmas and were eager to create an alternative advent calendar after learning about the importance of care within our communities.

The way that the calendar worked was that instead of taking something such as chocolate each day, an item of food was brought in to school to create a hamper to donate to those less fortunate.

Three hampers were created in total, full of Christmas and other essential goodies, which were presented to Tracy and Jan Olin from PATCH (Pembrokeshire Action To Combat Hardship) at a special assembly.

As well as the hampers, a cheque for £80 was handed over by the school council, from money collected at the school’s harvest festival earlier in the term.

Sandra Bryant, base leader at Stackpole VC School, said: “This has been a wonderful learning experience for our pupils. They embraced the idea with a great deal of enthusiasm and it was delightful to watch them recognise how their efforts were able to help families in need.”

On being presented with the hampers and cheque, Tracy Olin from PATCH said: “We are extremely grateful to Stackpole VC School and are overwhelmed that such a small school can make so much of a difference to the many families who need support at this time of the year.”