Irlam and Cadishead Academy helped make some elderly Salford residents Christmases with their festive gifts.
The academy ensured their heads of year delivered sweets and handwritten cards to locals at Astley Court, Heartly Green, Moorfield House, Holly Court and The Meadows during the week before Christmas.
Sharon Lightford, Head of Year Seven, said: “We decided recently that we would look at the old people’s homes and the sheltered housing in Irlam and Cadishead because we were just aware that during Covid it’s quite a lonely time.
“We had a Christmas jumper day and instead of paying a pound [to wear] a Christmas jumper to donate, the kids brought in a sweet treat like mince pies and I’ve got a whole ‘I’m looking at it now thinking oh my god what I am going to do [feeling]’.
“All the children and staff donated to it. Effectively what we’ve done is we’ve decorated five big boxes and filled the boxes.
Our ‘Sweet Treat’ hampers for the local Care and Residential homes residents and staff were packed and ready to be delivered!
We hope these and the many Christmas cards/Postcards put a smile on many faces! ☺️Merry a Christmas to you all!! 🎄#WeAreICA #standardsandcharacter pic.twitter.com/C3f5MDnUji
— Irlam & Cadishead Academy (@_ICAcademy1) December 17, 2020
“We didn’t realise how much we would receive really, we’re not really sure. We’ve just been overwhelmed, we’ve had parents dropping things off at reception every day so everybody’s really got involved with it,” she added.
They had received so many gifts, they even had to appeal on social media for extra boxes to transport the treats.
If anyone has any spare large boxes we need 5 please due to the overwhelming amount of donations we recieved yesterday for the local care homes. If you have any going spare please can you drop them into front reception on Monday next week. Thank you once again! ☺️ pic.twitter.com/zPaCnYoVz8
— Irlam & Cadishead Academy (@_ICAcademy1) December 12, 2020
Mrs Lightfoot added: “We did a Christmas card competition – got the kids to design one and we’ve had them made. All the kids have written a special message to the elderly but they’re really uplifting messages so, obviously, they don’t know who it’s going to.
“I’ve got one here in front of me: ‘Have a very Merry Christmas and remember, keep smiling and enjoy our sweet treats, love from all the students in year nine.”
“All the kids in the whole school have written one of these cards designed by the kids.
Staff and students have been busy writing Christmas cards and postcards for the Care and Residential Homes staff and clients, so not only are they getting a ‘sweet treat’ this Christmas but a lovely heartfelt greeting as well…and these were too lovely not to share!! pic.twitter.com/KNvBpF0nLJ
— Irlam & Cadishead Academy (@_ICAcademy1) December 16, 2020
“I’m overwhelmed, really. I really am with the response that we’ve had. This is a community that does come together in the hour of need,” Mrs Lightfoot added.
“We’re quite obsessed with tweets and involving the parents and involving the community. We’re one road in and one road out in Irlam, everybody sticks together and we do our own things.
“We get loads and loads of stuff done it school, but it’s just great to put it out there.”
The academy also worked with charity The Milk Aid to ensure families in need at ICA also got a Christmas hamper of their own.
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