Kind-hearted pupils and staff at Highfield Leadership Academy have been working hard to support vulnerable people in their community as part of the Star Coronavirus Appeal.

Pupils and staff have been operating out of the Star Family Hub, which has been set up at the school to support the local community during the pandemic.

The South Shore school has been supporting pupils and their families and other members of the local community by delivering hundreds of food parcels to local families and vulnerable residents. Hundreds of items of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including safety goggles and glasses, have been donated by the school to Trinity Hospice and other local carers.

More than 40 pupils from the school have taken part in a special ‘Sending You Sunshine Project’ where pupils and staff sent messages of hope to vulnerable people who were feeling lonely during lockdown. Pupils sent postcards and videos filled with uplifting messages and teachers even knitted mini sunshines for people who live in care homes in the Blackpool area. Blackpool Coastal Housing has praised the school and its pupils for their work in the community and will give the team special recognition at their annual community awards.

Andrew Galbraith, Principal at Highfield Leadership Academy, said:

“The energy with which our pupils, families and staff have embraced our coronavirus appeal has been inspiring and we will continue to work hard and find safe ways to support our community during what will be a challenging time for many. Providing support to our communities during lockdown has become an important part of our school’s work and we will do everything we can to help those in our community who are in need of our help “I’m proud that the Sending You Sunshine project has been spreading a little cheer in our community, during a very difficult time, so to receive recognition for this work from Blackpool Coastal Housing is truly wonderful.”

Since all schools were ordered to close to most pupils in March, Highfield Leadership Academy has continued to open every day, including weekends, to provide vital care for the children of key workers and vulnerable pupils.

The coronavirus fundraising appeal is just one of several initiatives that has been launched by Star Academies and its schools to help those facing difficulties in our local communities and to support parents and carers throughout the country.

A telephone helpline, Starline, has been launched to help give practical education advice to parents and carers and a YouTube broadcast StarLive is broadcast weekly to help parents as they educate their children at home. For more information about Star Academies appeal and our charity pledges, please visit www.starcoronavirusappeal.org.

To help make a difference to local people who are in desperate need with a donation to the coronavirus charity appeal please visit www.starcoronavirusappeal.org/donate.

To find out how we can support you, visit our coronavirus appeal website or contact your local Star Family Hub.