Eileen Kidby, Vice-Chair of Surviving Christmas, attended the school to receive the cheque and said she felt quite humbled that this amount had been raised by the young people. In addition they had also collected a large amount of food for the hampers to be given out by the charity over Christmas and also many good items for presents to accompany the hampers.

We hear so much bad news about young people that I would like to publicise the good work and kind generosity of St Richards students and I know that Surviving Christmas is not the only charity they support. Well done St Richards and thank you.

Surviving Christmas would also like to thank the children of Birkdale Hall Nursery, Blacklands, Silverdale, Little Ridge Avenue, St Leonards Church of England, Dudley Infants and The Grove schools who have all given food, gifts or donations to this year's Appeal.

Surviving Christmas has hired the YMCA once again for its 3 day Open Christmas on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and 27th Dcember. Each day opens at 10 am and a warm welcome awaits anyone who is lonely or homeless at this festive time.