STUDENTS from Nova Hreod Academy have learned the gift of giving this Christmas season by organising a reverse advent calendar to provide food and gifts for the homeless of Swindon.

The initiative came from Kathryn Bekir’s tutor group, Aquila 3. Throughout December the pupils campaigning around the whole school for donations of food, hot drinks, gloves, hats and blankets.

All the items collected have been passed to Alternative Angels, a group of volunteers who provide hot meals to homeless and vulnerable people of Swindon. They will be shared between the Winter Project and the Swindon Caring Hearts Group, for distribution to people needing help over the winter.

Mrs Bekir said: “We have seen an overwhelming amount of generosity from both students and staff alike.

"A variety of donations from large bags of tea and coffee to tins of beans and soup, to warm hats, socks, gloves and blankets will help keep people without permanent homes and shelter warm this Christmas.”

The pupils came up with the idea when a volunteer from Alternative Angels visited the school to talk about helping people who could not help themselves. They discovered that some people living on the streets were not much older than themselves.