MP helps Maghull high school pupils launch Christmas food bank appeal

MP Bill Esterson praised pupils at a Maghull high school for their community spirit and generosity as they launched a Christmas food bank drive.

The MP met with Year 9 pupils from Deyes High School's Enterprise Club to discuss the group's plans to encourage pupils, staff and the wider community to take part in a "reverse advent calendar" project. 

Participants are encouraged to add an item to the food bank collection box every day during the reverse advent calendar period. In order for the food to be donated in time for Christmas, the reverse advent calendar period will be from November 4 to 29.

The pupils approached Morrisons in Maghull for used banana boxes that they could wrap and hand out to each tutor group. They also gave one to the MP for his office block. Enterprise Club members Connor Murt and Shaun Bamford delivered assemblies to all year groups to encourage all pupils to take part. 

Deyes' Careers and Employer Engagement Manager Anja Koermer said: "The idea for the Reverse Advent Calendar is the brain child of our Enterprise Club. They wanted to do something that makes a difference to less fortunate members of their local community and came up with the idea of supporting the local food banks. At the end of November we will collect all the donations and send them to South Sefton Food Bank, which distributes the items across food banks in Sefton."

Mr Esterson, the MP for Sefton Central and Shadow Business Minister, said: "It was a pleasure to visit Deyes High School and meet with the Year 9 pupils who are showing great generosity and community spirit with their Christmas food bank collection. Thank you to Ms Koermer and Miss Griffith-Evans for giving me such a warm welcome. I wish the members of the Enterprise Club all the best with their different ventures." 

Members of the community can donate items at the Deyes Lane school or at the MP's office at Space Solution Business Centre on Sefton Lane Industrial Estate between November 4 and 29.

The food bank requests items such as tinned fruit, veg, fish and meat, UHT milk, cereal, fruit juice, rice, pasta, sugar, tinned puddings, beans, jam, soup, pasta sauce,  handwash, toiletries, sanitary items, children's clothing, toys and seasonal items.

PIC: Bill Esterson MP with members of the Enterprise Club, Shaun Bamford, John Burns, Connor Murt and Callum Harvey, and one of the foodbank collection boxes