Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School pupils spread winter warmth to local community

As the winter nights draw in and the temperatures plummet, pupils from Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School are spreading seasonal cheer throughout their community by supporting local people through its Winter Gift Programme.

At Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, 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 have been donating gifts and toys that will be used to make hampers for local families to be distributed through the Rossendale Gift Box Programme. For the last four years, the community-run Rossendale Gift Box Programme has been spreading joy to local families who find themselves struggling at this time of year.

The school’s Winter Gift Programme is also supporting the RAFT Foundation Foodbank in Rossendale. Pupils, families and staff have been generously donating food, toiletries and household items to make a genuine difference to local families throughout Rossendale. Provisions supplied by the foodbank provide around 1,500 meals every week in our local community, at a time when demand has increased by almost 50%.

Students from the school’s Sixth Form visited Lumb Valley care home to spread kindness and joy on a cold winter’s day. The students played games with residents, as well as surprising them with thoughtful cards and gifts.

James Johnstone, Principal at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, 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.”