WITH a commitment to supporting local foodbanks, one high school concluded the year with an incredible amount of donated items.

Launching a food bank initiative last year, Rainford High encouraged students to think about those struggling during the cost of living crisis and donate food, clothes, and essential items to the initiative.

Following a successful operation last summer term, the school brought the initiative back for the entire school year and raised an incredible 1625kg of donations.

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St Helens Star: Students donated a huge collection of food, clothes, and essential itemsStudents donated a huge collection of food, clothes, and essential items (Image: Rainford High)

With an array of collections organised throughout the year, the donations were brought in and subsequently dropped off at the Hope Centre, on Atherton Street in the town centre, to be given to food banks across the borough.

With Rainford's student houses encouraged to be the team with the most donated items, student groups donated a large variety of food and necessities including toothpaste, cereals, juices, tinned foods, and much more. 

In total, the five student groups donated 1,657 items and the school was gifted a certificate which highlighted that 1625.94kg worth of food, clothes, and essential items were donated from September 2022 to July 2023.

St Helens Star: Alex Marsh dropping off the donations with foodbank volunteers last yearAlex Marsh dropping off the donations with foodbank volunteers last year (Image: Rainford High)

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.”