TMET schools joined together early in December to make a positive difference to struggling families in Leicester this Christmas.
All the schools in the Trust took part in the first Big Christmas Community Hug to collect items for the Help the Homeless shelter in Leicester.
TMET’s Director of Inclusion and SEND Mark Oldman said: “our schools have done an incredible job of supporting the communities around them this year. As a Leicester based family of schools, we are aware that the city’s most vulnerable people have been hit hard and that more and more people are struggling. The Big Christmas Community Hug is our way of showing our communities that no matter what their situation, there is good in the world and people who care“
The donations, which were collected from 30th November to 4th December, were delivered to Help the Homeless in Leicester on Tuesday, 15th December.
Each day during the collection week, the schools focused on one type of donation.
Monday was for ‘winter warmers’ including socks, scarves and gloves. Tuesday was for wellbeing items such as toothpaste and shower gel. Wednesday was for coats. Thursday was for sanitary items. Finally, Friday was for food donations. To be COVID-safe, all donated items were quarantined for 72 hours.
Mark added: “Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we have seen families experiencing incredibly turbulent times, both financially and in their own wellbeing. To see the efforts of everyone coming together and wanting to help the most needy despite all that has happened has been incredibly humbling. We are so proud to stand together with our families and offer whatever support we can. The really inspiring thing has been seeing our pupils rising to the challenge, knowing that they are doing the right thing for people who need it the most. They deserve lots of credit for the way they have responded at such a difficult time.”
Check out some comments from Twitter. Search #TMETBigChristmasCommunityHug or follow us on @TMETrust
Mr Hassall has nearly finished loading the minibus with all of the fantastic donations for TMET Big Community Hug. Thank you all once again for your generosity 🌟😊 #community #caring @TMETrust pic.twitter.com/iLDEh9FhxL
— Rowlatts Mead Primary Academy (@Rowlatts_TMET) December 14, 2020
100 boxes of food, toiletries, blankets and clothing packed and ready to deliver on Tuesday! A huge,huge thank you to everyone who’s supported getting the donations organised and again to the Knighton community for their generosity📦💚 #TMETBigChristmasCommunityHug #TMETCharacter pic.twitter.com/cI645PIfHz
— Knighton Mead Primary Academy (@knightontmet) December 13, 2020
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”#TeamNorthMead 💙 are proud to be part of the @TMETrust community & being involved in the #TMETBigChristmasCommunityHug. All of these clothes & packages will go towards helping the homeless in Leicester. #Christmas #TMETCommunity pic.twitter.com/1yVsTW8LES
— NorthMead (@NorthMead_TMET) December 14, 2020
How awesome is this?! You generous bunch! Thank you so much 🙏🏻. Together we really will make a positive difference! @TMETrust pic.twitter.com/42gEC7N48N
— Willowbrook Mead Primary Academy (@WillowbrookTMET) December 3, 2020
AND THERE IS MORE… this is our INFANT School contribution to the #tmetchristmascommunityhug. All of this will go towards helping the homeless in Leicester. What a fabulous community effort. #greatful #thankful @TMETrust #tmetcommunity pic.twitter.com/wrAD87wNl2
— Kestrel Mead Primary Academy (@kestrelmead) December 10, 2020