KIND-HEARTED schoolboys have collected more than 1,000 items for Colchester food bank after taking over a non- school uniformday.

In a twist on the tradition, the boys asked everyone to bring in food instead.

Kieran Seager and Emad Ahmed, both 15 and from Monkwick, Colchester, are in Year Ten at Thomas Lord Audley School.

Both are studying citizenship.

Emad said: “Our task was to take part in an action that would create an impact in the community.

“We were encouraged to do things like raise awareness for something through a Facebook group or website, but we wanted to make a real impact.

“Kieran had thought of hosting an own clothes’ day to raise money, then I had the idea to ask for food donations instead.

“When we counted what was brought in we were amazed. A lot of people brought a whole bag of stuff.”

In total, the pair collected 590 kilograms of food, including 200 cans of soup, which is enough to feed 1,404 people.

Kieran, who is set to become head boy next year, is hoping to carry on the success of the event and make it a regular fixture at the school.

He said: “We got about 1,150 items for the food bank in total.

My head of house said she thinks I should do it again and that’s what I’m looking to do. People were bringing in boxes and boxes of stuff.”

Colchester food bank was overwhelmed with the donation, so the two boys remained behind for the rest of the afternoon to assist with the unpacking.

Manager Corrine Thompson, said: “In short, they are a credit to their school.

“It’s an absolutely incredible donation and just shows the power of children.

“It shows they do understand what’s going on in.

“The amount donated is as much as we would get from a whole day collecting in a supermarket."