Pupils celebrated their Harvest Festival on Friday 30th October. The pupils donated tinned goods, toiletries, and dried goods, all of which will go to the Cobham Food Bank, Danes Hill’s local food collection.
Danes Hill School celebrates Harvest each year, focusing upon providing targeted support for the local community. Reception to Year 8 gathered in the assembly hall to give thanks with beautiful singing and thought-provoking poems and prayers. Revd Patrick Davies from the local church, St Andrew’s led the Bevendean service, reminding the children of the importance of community and the vital act of sharing. Mr Bryant led the main school service encouraging pupils to think about where their food comes from and if there is enough food for everyone. Dressed as a pizza delivery man, with four of our Year 8s making pizzas on the stage, the message was well received by the pupils.
The Danes Hill School charities committee and the Bevendean School Council helped to collect the donations and load the Cobham Food Bank van. The donations were transported to the warehouse at Brook Willow Farm, Leatherhead to be sorted by the dedicated volunteers.
The Cobham Food Bank continuously supports the local community in their effort to make sure that no one in the local community faces hunger. They provide a week’s nutritionally balanced food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis. They are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussel Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. The Food Bank is a lifeline to many and is funded by local churches, community groups and schools. Since they opened in December 2013, they have provided over 158 tonnes of emergency food. Over 90% of the food distributed by the food bank is donated by the public and demand is only increasing.
Charity work at Danes Hill is a vital part of school life, they promote a spirit of good citizenship, a desire to help better the world and a resolve to help those less fortunate. The Cobham Food Bank were incredibly appreciative of Danes Hill’s large donation.
Maxine Shaw, Head commented:
‘It is wonderful to see the generosity of our school community, I was overwhelmed by the kindness and support our pupils and families have shown. It is my first Harvest as Head at Danes Hill and it was wonderful to see the pupils giving back to our local community.’
Year 8 pupil and Head of Charities commented:
‘It is great to support our local charities, it is amazing to see what we can achieve when we work as a community. I look forward to making a difference this year as Head of Charities, raising money for our chosen charity, The Garden Route Children’s Trust.’