Children’s Play, Learning and Development students at Ashton Sixth Form College have been fundraising for Operation Christmas Child. The CPLD department are producing over 100 Christmas shoe box hampers for children who may not otherwise receive a Christmas gift.

As part of The Samaritans Operation Christmas Child shoe box appeal the students have been busy raising funds in order to purchase gifts including soft toys, hard boiled sweets, toiletries, stationary, hats, scarves and gloves for the shoe boxes. Each Christmas hamper will be specifically designed for a child aged between 2 and 14 with contents to match their gender and age group.

As well as raising funds the students raised awareness of the appeal amongst their peers, organising a sponsored fancy dress day in order to raise funds to purchase gifts and cover the cost of transporting the shoeboxes to their designated countries.

On the day students really embraced the fancy dress aspect, with lots of bold, eye-catching and ultimately embarrassing outfits, from Dalmatians to Dinosaurs. With approximately £500 raised on the day and with sponsor money still coming in it is hoped that they will achieve their goal of £1000.

“The department has collected items for several months and spent weeks planning and making their costumes. They have all worked really hard to raise funds and make their costumes as impressive as possible. I am delighted with the way that the Children’s Play Learning and Development groups have worked together, supported each other and shared ideas.” Guy Marshall, Head of Department Children’s Play Learning and Development.