Teachers and pupils have raised £1,060 for vulnerable children.

Barnsole Primary School has been collecting donations for food parcels which will be donated to families in need of support over the Christmas holidays.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford raised the issue surrounding free school meals earlier this year.

Schools, shops and other businesses rallied around the campaign across the county after MPs voted against the footballer's calls to extend the vouchers over holiday periods.

In a letter to parents, Lisa Taylor – head of school in Barnsole Road, Gillingham – said: "Our families are very important to us and we realise that some have had to endure some very hard times financially.

"The Government recently announced they will be providing extra money to local authorities to support our vulnerable families with free school meal parcels during school holidays but we feel this support could be supplemented by us, with people's generous support.

"These parcels will largely contain day-to-day food and household items that will help bring holiday food shopping bills down and ease some financial pressure to those that are struggling the most.

"We have had an overwhelming level of support from local supermarkets already, who are kindly offering donations, but we would also like your support as previously mentioned."

Pupils would usually share Christmas cards, but due to the increased risk of Covid-19 transmission, staff have asked parents to donate the money they would usually spend on cards to their support package drive.

The school has sent out a 'need survey' to find out how many parcels it will need to make and have predicted it will create 25 to 50 boxes.

Mrs Taylor added: "We are very proud to be part of this community and your support during the past eight months has been fantastic, so let us continue together and not let Covid stop us.

"We thank you in advance for your support and generosity towards our community."

To donate, visit its Just Giving Page.

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