PUPILS at The Commonweal School in Old Town have got Christmas all wrapped up.

They are once again supporting the Christmas shoebox appeal and are well on their way to filling almost 100 boxes already.

Genny Williams, Maths teacher at Commonweal School, said: “Students and staff have been busy packing shoe boxes over the last few weeks following the year assemblies at the end of September where I encouraged all students and staff to get involved with this year’s appeal.

“I explained which items should be packed into the boxes such as scarves, gloves, toys, pens, pencils, colouring books and crayons, soap and flannel, toothpaste and toothbrush and last but not least, sweets.

“Students then watched a short DVD of children opening their boxes, their excitement and happiness obvious to all. Every tutor group was then set to work preparing the boxes.

“Yesterday my year 7 maths students took the boxes to our reception area ready for collection.

Year 7 pupil Katie Corner said: “We have everything and they have barely anything. A pencil to them would be Christmas.”

Fellow year 7 pupil Benjamin Grist said: “Just the smallest thing can help. Imagine how important this would be if you were them.”

Genny said: “Last year 4000 boxes from the Swindon area were received by children who otherwise would not have received anything at Christmas. A shoe box tells children that somebody cares, they have not been forgotten and gives them hope for a better future.

“We are pleased to know that the 80 boxes packed by students, parents and staff this year at The Commonweal School, will make a big difference this Christmas.”