SCHOOL children at a Christchurch primary school have given a ‘huge amount’ of donations to Christchurch Food Bank.

Following an urgent appeal on social media by the food bank, pupils at the school gathered items to donate including tinned meat, soups, rice, pasta and long-life milk.

The donations came in before February half-term and helped children and their families in and around Christchurch to eat well over the holidays.

Paul Ruffle, headteacher of the Priory CE Primary School, said: "The mark of any society is how it treats its most vulnerable families, so it was humbling to see how our school community responded so generously to support this appeal.

“It shows the next generation is keen to make the world a better place for everyone".

The donations have enabled the food bank to buy the additional items they need such as fresh fruit, vegetables and dairy products.

Tracy Blick, the Christchurch foodbank manager, said: "It is both overwhelming and humbling to receive such a huge amount of donations after our appeal.

“Our local school children and their families have always supported the work we do, it’s wonderful to see the next generation caring about the need of others.

“When we heard that the Priory School children put their uniforms on and came into school over the February half-term to help sort the food, the volunteers at the Foodbank were even more blessed with the support.”

Christchurch Food Bank is an independent foodbank who relies on donations. People can choose to donate food items to the bank or make money donations to help the charity purchase fresh food.