EAST Meon Church of England Primary School has been working hard to ensure a giving Christmas through a sponsored ‘Christmas-a-thon’ for Naomi House Children’s Hospice and organising a huge food drive.

Two years ago the school’s Student Council voted to help the children’s charity after it supported a school family.

Over two years the school’s 90 pupils aged between four and 11 have raised nearly £2,500, including through The Christmas-a-thon by taking part in activities such as baking, craft-making and a reindeer run – this year they ran more than 54km.

Voyagers class teacher Julie Slamaker said: “It is not quite far enough to get Rudolph around the world, but it got us to Naomi House to deliver a wonderful cheque and Christmas cheer.”

And the school has also taken the lead on charity work slightly closer to home.

Before Lockdown 1, it set up it’s One More Thing charity that saw school families buy just ‘one more thing’ when shopping.

This provided regular donations to the Petersfield food bank.

Last year there was a focused food drive and massive amounts of food were collected for people who may have gone without.

This year, the pupils and staff have taken their charity to the next level and are working to set up their own East Meon food bank.

They have also added ‘gifts’ to the list of requested Christmas donations so they can put small gifts in the food parcels for elderly people and families with young children in time for Christmas.

Year 5 council member Eliza Randall said: “Everyone has been very generous again.

“I think everyone is enjoying spreading a little extra Christmas magic!”

Headteacher Amy O’Toole added: “I am so proud of the children, staff and the local community. It shows how much power for good we have, when we come together and work as a team.”