Students at Our Lady’s Catholic High School in Hackney contributed their creative and material resources throughout December to help provide 152 food hampers for people in need during the Christmas season. The initiative received praise from the Deputy Mayor of Hackney, Councillor Antoinette Bramble, who visited the school in the week before Christmas. Councillor Bramble spoke with the Student Council team about community work and voiced her support for the hamper project, which she observed as bringing staff and students together, as well as out into the community. She also spoke to the students about the importance of giving young people a voice on Government policies which affect them.
152 hampers were delivered to St Anne’s Nursing Home, Friends of Woodberry Down Community Group, Haringey Family Support Services, Servite Convent, Nightingale Estate Lunch Club, Pilgrims Lodge Sheltered Accommodation, Hackney Food Bank and individual recipients who were nominated by parents of Our Lady's students.
Sixth Form student Emma Owens said, ‘The whole school really works together as everyone brings in products to fill the hampers, the Year 7s make the Christmas cards and our Sixth Form physically go out and deliver the hampers. In today’s society it is so important to give back to the community and it has been a great privilege to be able to do our part to contribute. The Deputy Mayor was really inspirational. She inspired me to continue the good community work once I have left the school.’
Headteacher Ms McDonald said, ‘I am so proud of the young people of Our Lady's Catholic High School who have, for the twelfth year in a row, put faith into action to make hope, service and compassion real and tangible for over 150 different people. They have donated, collected, wrapped and delivered 150 packed Christmas hampers to give to the elderly, the lonely, the vulnerable; those who just need a helping hand this Christmas. Through their actions they pave the way for a changed world where each person, through their words and actions, brings hope to life.’
