Harvest Appeal Supports Fair Close Centre & Loose Ends

 We were delighted to use our Harvest Appeal, in which you donated canned food, biscuits, chocolate, teabags, jam and cereals, in support of two local charities, Loose Ends and Fair Close Centre.  Loose Ends is a drop-in centre in Newbury, supported by volunteers, providing nutritious food, clothes, and other essentials and a safe, friendly space where people can socialise. Fair Close Centre, opened by the Queen Mother in 1967, offers older people a place to spend time with friends, to meet new people and to feel involved and connected in a caring community.

On Wednesday 18 October, Sixth Form Students, Erin and Alex, accompanied by Year 8 students, Caitlin, Paige, James and Omar, visited both charities to deliver boxes of food and learn more about the important work they do. So much had been collected that it was necessary to make two trips in the van! The students not only had a chance to talk to the users of these charities but they were also sung to by some of the recipients at the Fair Close Centre!

Dr Fitter, said, “I really enjoyed hearing about the students’ experience of delivering the food. The impromptu singing has sparked a desire in our Sixth Form students to return at Christmas to do some carol singing. It’s great that they are engaging with our wider community, as we encourage all St Bart’s students to do. We look forward to future opportunities to work with these fantastic organisations.”

Alison Martin, Loose Ends volunteer, said, “We were so delighted to meet the students and take delivery of the items that they have collected. They will be much appreciated.”

The House that donated the most food will win a non-uniform day. The winners will be announced in full school assembly this week!