Pupils make Christmas hampers for food bank

Children at Faithful Companions of Jesus Primary School sorted through donations to make the hampers

Jersey schoolchildren have made Christmas hampers for a food bank in the island.

The families of pupils at Faithful Companions of Jesus Primary School donated the items, which the children then organised and wrapped for the Grace Trust.

They will be given to people supported by the food bank over the festive season.

The children also wrote Christmas cards to show people who were struggling they were not alone.

Georgia, right, and Hattie hope the hampers will help people over Christmas

Hattie, six, said: "We're making hampers to make sure that people at Christmas are not lonely.

"We want them to feel happy on Christmas Day."

Georgia, 10, added: "It is important for everybody to have something to have on Christmas so they don't feel alone or upset."

The school hopes the event will help the children learn the importance of coming together to help others over the festive season.

Teacher Sarah O'hEarchai will spend Christmas Day at St Thomas' Church

Teacher Sarah O'hEarchai helped the children with the work and will volunteer on Christmas Day at St Thomas' Church spending time with people and offering coffee and mince pies.

She said: "We wanted to ensure that the children were giving back to the community.

"It's been so wonderful and we always teach their children at this time of year about joy, thinking of Jesus, thinking of others and thinking of yourself.

"We're very aware of our Catholic social teaching principles as well and one of those is to show and help and support for the poor and to be our best selves, and that is sometimes giving something up and helping someone who needs a hand."

'World of good'

The Grace Trust said Christmas was its busiest time of year.

Chairman David Capps said of the youngster's efforts: "It will do our clients the world of good.

"It's been a tough year for many in the island and many still struggle with the rise in living costs, so this is going to be a big, big relief."