As Christmas was drawing closer and most families were preparing to find presents under the tree, Urmston Grammar School took a moment to consider the less fortunate that struggle in the festive season. With the help of the fundraising committee in the school council and a teacher, Miss Salisbury, as well as other teachers that volunteered to help, the school organised a collection for Mustard Tree, asking students to give whatever they could, such as canned goods, pasta, coats, and shampoo.
Mustard Tree is a charity that aims to help the homeless and those in poverty in Greater Manchester and give them opportunities by facing the causes of poverty as well as the consequences and challenges it brings. People are given the chance to learn new skills and given opportunities to support themselves, and food and other resources are provided for those in need.
“It really stood out to me that they do so much and that they help people in our local area,” said Miss Salisbury, referencing the large range in the work that the charity does. She also noted that when researching charities and looking to donate, she values charities that give back to the local area. She then added that, having organised collections in the past, she wanted to give to a different charity rather than repeat what she has done before, so as to give to other deserving charities.
Overall, the students contributed well, with the houses Oak and Orme giving the most donations, and the teacher mentioned how proud she was that people were so willing to contribute. “It was so lovely to see so many people reach out to help people they don’t even know,” she said, calling their efforts “amazing.”
