Thanks to the generosity of the local community, pupils at Penryn College delivered almost one tonne of goods to the local foodbank over the Christmas period.

A majority of the items Penryn & Falmouth Foodbank were donated during a fundraising non-school uniform day, when students, their family members, and staff contributed food and other essential items towards the collection.

Indeed, the donations weighed in at 984.6kg - a record amount collected by Penryn College. And, additionally, five boxes of goods - which were handed in after the foodbank delivery - were donated to a local supermarket’s foodbank collection.

Speaking following the donations, Penryn & Falmouth Foodbank Administrator, Catherine Hansla, said: “Thank you to all the wonderful people who donated. It was an enormous help and provided our clients with a more worry-free Christmas - we are very grateful.

“Donations are always welcomed by our clients in crisis, especially during the winter months, when often fuel bills are so high that affording food can become impossible,” she continued.

And, for the second consecutive year, Falmouth-based company, OTS Minibus & Coach Hire, provided a coach and driver free of charge to transport students and the donations to the foodbank, adding to the festive goodwill demonstrated within the local community.

Reflecting on that kindness and goodwill, Head of RE at Penryn College, Emma Teagle, who led this year’s foodbank appeal at the school, said: “Each year, I am blown away by the amount of items that are donated by the school community - it is truly wonderful to see such generosity on such a large scale.

“A massive thank you to everyone who contributed and helped provide such vital support for so many people over the festive period and beyond. A huge thank you also to OTS Minibus & Coach Hire for their support,” she concluded.

The Penryn & Falmouth Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust’s network of 428 foodbanks, working to tackle food poverty and hunger in local communities, as well as across the UK. To find out more information on the Penryn & Falmouth Foodbank, please visit www.penrynfalmouth.foodbank.org.uk.