SCHOOLCHILDREN have been doing their bit to to give back to the community this Christmas - by launching their own reverse advent calendar.

Rather than taking something away each day, pupils at Rosley C of E School, near Wigton, are instead giving something away to Carlisle Foodbank in a true show of goodwill.

The idea, which originated from class 5/6 teacher Joanne Tinniswood, won praise from her 21 pupils when it was unwrapped last month.

Joanne told the News & Star: “It’s heartwarming to see my pupils get involved in this special Christmas project.

“Each child has been assigned a day for the reverse advent calendar, and brings an item in for the foodbank, has attached a little sticker with a Christmas message to the recipient on their item.

“The feedback from the children has been very positive, with all of them very keen to get involved to help a local cause.

Joanne said it is the first time the school has taken part in an event like this.

“All of the teaching staff have joined all my class in donating to the calendar.

“The idea came after seeing a post on the Carlisle Foodbank’s Facebook page.

“I thought it tied beautifully with trying to reinforce the Christian values and encouraging our children to value giving as well as receiving during the festive period.”

The items donated include tinned vegetables and potatoes, cake, biscuits, shampoo, chocolate, breakfast cereal and UHT milk.

“Once all of our products have been sent in, I’ll be donating all of the items to Carlisle Foodbank on either the 20th or 21st of December.

“The pupils also designed a Christmas wishing star for each other, so that when they donated an item, they took a Christmas wish from another child.

“We have not opened this to the wider community, but it was very well received by parents of children in my class, with most donating far more than was asked for.”

Demand on foodbanks nationally is expected to grow the closer to Christmas we get, as many families start to feel the pinch of the seasonal shopping demands.

People are being encouraged to do their bit by supporting the work of the charity in Carlisle.

For more information on how to make a donation to Carlisle Foodbank, including a shopping list of the items most needed, go to: www.carlislefoodbank.org.uk

The foodbank, located on English Street, is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 1pm to 3pm.