Wolverhampton pupils hand over their party food to help those less fortunate

Youngsters at Westcroft School in Wolverhampton were given the choice of keeping it for a later date or handing it over to help those less fortunate - they all voted to donate them.

They have also been busy collecting hundreds of other donations of food, toiletries and toys, which they then delivered to the Express & Star head office.

These are being passed on to food banks and other good causes across the Black Country and Staffordshire.

Older pupils at the school, for students with complex learning needs, have been taught about some of the challenges that people face in their lives in their citizenship and independent living skills lessons.

They have also been finding out more about being healthy and managing their money to prepare them for these challenges.

A group of pupils, aged 11 to 17, who are on the student council, packed all of the donations into a minibus to bring to our Queen Street offices.

Class teacher and student council co-ordinator Carl Bates said: "We have been overwhelmed by how the students, staff, parents and friends of the school have got behind the campaign.

"The student council is made up of one student from each class and they have publicised the campaign to their class.

"They have then helped to collect all the goods, store them and bring them to the Express & Star offices."

Our appeal, which finished on Saturday, has received a great response from communities all across the Black Country and Staffordshire.

Our donation boxes at our offices in Wolverhampton, Cannock and Oldbury have been inundated while food has been filling in to our drop-off points at Waitrose in Wolverhampton and the Saddlers Shopping Centre in Walsall.

Since the campaign launched on November 4, we've had support from an array of organisations and schools across the region.

Wood End Primary School in Wolverhampton and Oakham Primary School in Oldbury have also boosted the campaign with donations.

Performance Through People has backed the appeal along with Healthwatch Wolverhampton.

While Saddlers Shopping Centre is Walsall has come on board to collect donations.

Superstar boy band The Vamps have been among the big names to back the appeal and urge readers and communities to donate items.

Also getting behind the appeal has been Slade legend Dave Hill, auctioneer Will Farmer and Olympian Joe Clarke.

While panto stars Lisa Riley, Adam C Booth and Ian Adams have all offered their support to the campaign.

The good causes that are benefitting from the appeal are The Well (Home of Wolverhampton Food Bank), Wolverhampton’s the Good Shepherd Ministry, the Black Country Food Bank, the Smethwick Food Bank, Walsall North Food Bank and Cannock and District Food Bank.

It is also supporting The Haven, which helps women and children affected by domestic violence and homelessness.

We are still delivering and collecting the last of the donations which will be delivered to the food banks and other charities by Christmas Eve.