Pupils help vulnerable people in Blackburn with festive charity drive
Pupils at Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School (TIBHS) have been taking part in a festive charitable drive to help vulnerable people in Blackburn.
This month saw the launch of the school’s annual Festive Winter Gift Programme where pupils, parents and staff work to raise funds and spread goodwill to help people experiencing hardship. All members of the school community were involved to reinforce the ‘S’ in STAR – SERVICE. We were delighted to have TIBHS Alumni return having left some 4 years ago to help with the deliveries as they now had a driving licence and had matured into responsible young men.
Pupils at the school took part in a sponsored fun run – Couch to 5k and asked family and friends for donations. This supported the pupils with their physical health and well-being as well as securing the invaluable donations from family members. Collections of food and hygiene items were also donated by local businesses and families to help support the cause.
The school joined with other Star Academies schools to take part in ‘Food for All Week’. From 7th to 13th December, all 29 schools across the Star Academies multi-academy trust aim to distribute 50,000 food parcels and meals to those experiencing food poverty.
The school was a hive of activity during Food For All Week as food was collected and prepared in its kitchens, whilst pupils and parents carefully packed meals and food supplies. Parents and pupils then 
took to the streets of Blackburn to deliver the meals to local families and charitable organisations.
Thanks to the school’s fundraising efforts, more than 1,000 meals were delivered to local vulnerable families, care and residential homes and key workers to help bring comfort during the festive season. Pupils also successfully packed and distributed 370 hygiene hampers, which were distributed to people in need.
Due to the success of the 1,000 meals served and at the request of the people who deliveries were made to, a soup kitchen has been arranged for Wednesday 16th December 2020 at the school.
Majid Ditta, Principal at TIBHS, said that against the backdrop of COVID-19, this year’s Festive Winter Gift Programme had been especially important to pupils and staff.
He said: “Our Festive Winter Gift campaign is an opportunity for pupils to help others and provide comfort to people who are experiencing severe hardship.
“This year has been a year of exceptional challenge, and our pupils, parents, community members and local businesses and staff have worked with even greater dedication to make a difference.
“I am immensely proud of our pupils including our alumni, who have demonstrated such maturity and selflessness to ensure our winter campaign was successful. I would like to say thank you to everyone who helped to contribute.”
Added By: Star Academies | Date Added: 16th Dec 2020 | Posted In: Latest News