YOUNGSTERS at a primary school in Colchester have donated more than 700 cans of food to people in need.
Home Farm School Association (HFSA) and Home Farm Primary School in Shelley Road, has donated 705 cans of food to Colchester Food Bank, after a fundraiser was held last week.
After the school held an assembly for students where it was explained the importance of food banks, a canned food drive was held throughout the entirety of last week.
The drive, which was organised by the HFSA on behalf of the school, resulted in the collection of a staggering 705 cans, weighing a total amount of 306.25KG.
For every can of food donated by a school pupil, the HFSA agreed to match it with £1 going towards play equipment for the children.
This means the organisation will spend £705 on new play equipment and the pupils are encouraged to decide what this money can purchase.
The HFSA is run by parents, teachers, and friends of the school, its primary focus is to organise fundraising events on behalf of the primary school.
Laura Royce, 41, of Baden Powell Drive, is the co-chair for the HFSA and is delighted with the results of the fundraiser.
She said: “I feel extremely proud to be part of something that not only supports our children's education but the wider community as well.
“It feels great to know we have helped, we’re very fortunate to have such a strong group, we have a really fantastic team.”
Laura, who has two children at the school, added: "We are basically made up of parents, teachers, friends and we organise fundraising events for the school."
Mike Beckett, the chief officer at Colchester Foodbank expressed his gratitude.
He said: "We are delighted the school has made this donation.
"Items like these are what we need, so a big thank you to the pupils, teachers, and parents."
Home Farm Primary School's headteacher, Richard Potter, explained how proud he is.
He said: "As part of a charity event, the Home Farm Parents’ Association challenged every class to donate as many cans of food as they could for Colchester Foodbank.
"As headteacher, I am proud of the efforts of all the children and the dedication of our parents in helping to coordinate and deliver our donation."
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