Rainford High concluded the school year with an incredibly impactful whole-school foodbank drive.
Throughout the year, the school has organised an array of collections in order to support local foodbanks and charities. The dedicated students and staff joined forces for one final charitable push to help those in need.
The cost of living crisis has led to an increase in people using foodbanks across the UK, and St Helens is no exception. During summer, many families may feel extra monetary pressure due to children being at home as opposed to in school, where they had access to school meals as well as activities and classes to keep them occupied.
The school often aims to donate just before longer holidays in order to support those in the local and wider community who may struggle during this time.
This year, a competitive edge was added to the donating process using the school’s house system. Students across the year groups are allocated to one of five houses: Integrity, Resilience, Endeavour, Compassion and Determination. For this foodbank drive, each house was encouraged to compete with each other in a bid to be the team with the most donated items.
Staff and students alike certainly got into a competitive and enthusiastic spirit, bringing in a large variety of food and necessities including toothpaste, cereals, juices, tinned foods, and much more.
Integrity donated 215 items, Resilience, 303, Endeavour, 316, Compassion, 353, and Determination, a huge 470 – bringing the total to 1,657.
All donations were handed over to The Hope Centre, St Helens, to be given to different St Helens foodbanks.
Upon its final donation of the year, the school received a certificate. It highlighted that, from September 2022 to July 2023, Rainford High has donated an impressive 1625.94kg worth of donations which have supported many residents in the St Helens borough.
Director of business and finance, and lead of the school’s fundraising and charitable activities, Miss Alex Marsh, said: “I am so proud of our final donation to The Hope Centre, St Helens, as the contributions of our students and staff members will help a lot of people, especially during the summer holidays where some families may need that extra support.
“We believe that ‘Everyone Matters, Everyone Helps and Everyone Succeeds’, and this is something that we apply to not only our school, but to the local area. It is important everyone works together to create a close, positive, and supportive community that we all can be proud of.”
Mr Ian Young, principal of Rainford High, added: “Our final foodbank drive has been a wonderful way to close the year. To find out that we have collectively donated 1625.94kg is amazing, and we are looking forward to participating in further fundraising and collections next academic year.”