KIND-HEARTED primary school pupils have been working hard to help those less fortunate in the run up to Christmas.

Children at Iceni Academy, in Gloucester Avenue, Colchester, have been taking part in a personal, social and health education project under the theme Be the Change.

After seeing the issue raised on Newsround, pupils chose to focus on homelessness and wanted to help those less fortunate in the town.

As part of the project, youngsters brought in food to be donated to Colchester Foodbank, and collected items such as toothbrushes, which will be donated to organisations which help homeless people.

Lisa Corby, headteacher at Iceni Academy, said: “The engagement of this theme for our pupils has been incredible.

“Inspired by Maldon boy Jacob Rabi-Laleh’s backpack project for the homeless, children have chosen to donate items to the homeless.

“It was very touching that children chose to purchase and donate toothbrushes and toothpaste after realising that tooth hygiene was a human right that homeless people might lack. They wanted to be the change.”

Pupils have also been linking the theme with their studies and areas of the curriculum.

Several homeless charities have also visited the school to talk about their good work.

Pictures by Steve Brading