Barton Peveril Donate Christmas Presents to Charity
Barton Peveril Sixth Form College students and staff have donated over 550 toys to local charity SCRATCH, which will be gifted to children in need across Southampton this Christmas.
SCRATCH is a registered charity founded in 1999 to relieve the effects of poverty for families and individuals. Located in Southampton, the charity provides assistance to families and individuals in Southampton and across Hampshire.
Students and staff at the College donated the toys as part of a wider effort to give to the region’s charities. SCRATCH is just one of the many charities the Barton Peveril Student Committee has elected to receive donations this academic year.
“Personal thanks to the staff and students of Barton Peveril”
The Chair of SCRATCH Charity, Ann Laird, commented on the College’s donations:
“Last year SCRATCH helped over 2000 children and teenagers with our Christmas Complete project. This year will be no different! We simply couldn’t do this without the help of our supporters so I’d like to extend my personal thanks to the staff and students of Barton Peveril for your donations.”
Barton Peveril’s Human Resources Officer, Helen Coombe, spoke on the donations made by fellow staff and College students:
“It is a real pleasure to be able to give local children and teenagers an opportunity to enjoy the festive period, this year. As a College we are proud to be able to offer our support to those in need, throughout the local community, and we are pleased to support SCRATCH and other charities year round.”
Student Donates Christmas Gifts
Since the initial donation was made to the charity, student Rachel Smith has gifted more than £450 worth of toys to the project.
Smith, who previously attended Brookfield Community School, asked friends and family to gift her money this year so that she could instead purchase toys to give to SCRATCH; as a result, Smith has forgone any presents for herself this year. This is the second time the student has selflessly donated her presents to charity, having gifted her presents in a similar manner in 2015.
Speaking on her charitable efforts, which added more than 100 toys to the total, Rachel Smith said:
“Every year I’m fortunate enough to get many presents from my friends and family, while there are so many families out there, especially this year, that cannot afford to get their children a Christmas present. Christmas should be a time of joy, love and hope and I think every family deserves this.”
