Somerset children selling pre-loved Christmas jumpers for charity day

Sophia (left) and Seth (right) are members of the school committee that is running the second-hand jumper sale

Children at a primary school are supporting calls for more people to wear second-hand Christmas jumpers this year.

Pupils from Castle Primary School in Stoke-sub-Hamdon, Somerset, are selling pre-loved jumpers.

The initiative is to support Save The Children's annual Christmas Jumper Day on 7 December.

Sophia, a student, said: "It's nice for everyone to have a Christmas jumper because it brings a sense of unity."

The school committee, chaired by Sophia and Seth, suggested the idea so that everybody could take part in the fundraiser, even if they cannot afford to buy a brand new jumper.

Seth said his fellow students described the scheme as "a good idea" and he added that it feels good doing something for other people.

Laura Hayne (left) and Jess Draper (right) are members of the PTA

Laura Hayne, a committee member of the Friends of Castle Parent Teacher Association (PTA), said: "I think everyone is really keen to be able to get a jumper and not have to pay full price.

"With the current [cost-of-living] crisis, I think it really helps families to be able to give their child a jumper without spending a fortune.

"Even the kids are aware of other kids that don't have a jumper, so I think that is a key part of why they wanted to do it."

Jess Draper, chair of the Friends of Castle PTA, added: "It's a nice community event."

Head teacher Stephen Morton said he was proud of the children

Stephen Morton, the head teacher, said: "This event is one of those times when the children get the opportunity to do something that starts small but becomes quite global.

"They've identified a need in the community - they wanted everybody to have a Christmas jumper that is affordable and available to them but also that is not going to landfill.

"I'm really proud of them."

Christmas Jumper Day was established by Save The Children in 2012. Since then, the charity said it has raised £35m globally.

Funds raised through the annual event will help some of the most disadvantaged children in the UK and across the world gain access to essential food, healthcare and education.

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