More than 2,000 items donated to schools group to make Christmas a little better this year

A schools group appealing for money and donations to make Christmas a less difficult time for families has collected more than 2,000 items.

The Christ the King (CTK) colleges, a group of Catholic sixth forms in South-east London, appealed to parents, staff and pupils to raise money for charities which help families in difficulties.

In total they collected 2,168 items – 561 were gift items such as children’s toys and books, 382 were toiletry items

-826 were food items, seven brand new clothing items, 152 items will go to a local charity shop and 240 items were luxury chocolates and biscuits.

Staff and pupils also collected £3,337 – £1,000 of that was a donation from John Sinik at Metric Capital

An auction of art by pupils also raised £1,058.

One of the charities being helped is Refuge, which offers homes to family members fleeing domestic abuse.

Another is the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP), which supports families, the isolated, ex-offenders, the elderly and those with mental health issues.

The Christ the King Federation will also help fund 200 local older residents who are isolated and vulnerable, during the Covid-19 pandemic through Bring Me Sunshine (BMS).

This is a team of 20 volunteers backed by five churches in Catford – Holy Cross, St Andrew, St Laurence, Brownhill Baptist Church and the Salvation Army.

For details of the Christ the King appeal click here.

Pictured top: Students Precious and Flynn