Rainbow Primary Leadership Academy pupils spread winter warmth to local community

As the winter nights draw in and the temperatures plummet, pupils from Rainbow are spreading seasonal cheer throughout their community by supporting local people through its Winter Gift Programme.

At Rainbow Primary Leadership Academy, we pride ourselves on making a positive difference to society. We are committed to playing an active role in our community and helping others. This winter, we are stepping up our efforts to support the most vulnerable people in our community.

The Winter Gift Programme is an annual campaign which sees pupils and staff from every Star Academies school unite to participate in a broad range of charitable giving, acts of kindness and volunteering; all with one simple aim – to make sure no one faces the challenges of winter alone.

Throughout the campaign, we will be supporting those in our local community – young and old – who are unwell, elderly or living in care, and those experiencing homelessness, loneliness or food poverty. As well as benefitting vulnerable people, our pupils will also gain from their involvement by expanding their leadership qualities – by devising, organising and taking part in charitable endeavours – and experiencing first-hand the positive impact of helping those less fortunate.

Our pupils have been donating food and gifts and spending time volunteering to support those most at need in our community through charitable actions.

Pupils have been bringing food, treats and warm clothing into school which will be assembled into gift packs by our school ambassadors, and then distributed to young homeless people in the city. They will also be taking gifts and cards for the residents of Mary Seacole Court, a local residential home. The school choir will perform some Christmas songs to spread some festive happiness. This is the third time that the children have visited the residents to sing, and it has always been very well received.

Jon Harris, Principal at Rainbow said:

“Our annual Winter Gift Programme not only supports the most vulnerable members of our community but affords our pupils the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and to experience the personal satisfaction that comes from demonstrating kindness and helping those less fortunate. Every year, we choose a Bradford charity to offer our support to. It is important to show our service to our local community and this year we are delighted to be able to help Bradford Nightstop, who are celebrating their 30th anniversary this year. Bradford Nightstop provide emergency accommodation to homeless young people between the ages of 16 and 25. It is a small charity which does incredible work in the city and it survives on donations and the kindness of volunteers. It gives me an enormous sense of pride to see our pupils, parents and colleagues embrace this invaluable campaign with such incredible compassion and generosity.”