School’s Christmas Hamper Challenge to support Peterborough Soup Kitchen

The Christmas Hamper Challenge is an annual event at TDA where students and staff donate non-perishable food items, brand new toiletries and items such as scarves, gloves and socks to make up hampers which are sent to local charities.

A total of six large hamper boxes were donated to the Peterborough Soup Kitchen to support homeless and disadvantaged people in the city.

Rick Carroll, principal of Thomas Deacon Academy, said: “We are once again delighted to support this important appeal. It is fantastic for Thomas Deacon Academy to be able to give something back to the wider Peterborough community at a time of year where many people struggle with the most basic of needs. 

“Thank you to all of our students and staff for showing great compassion and commitment in the wonderful donations of food and to Peterborough Soup Kitchen for collecting and distributing them to those in need this Christmas.”

Peterborough Soup Kitchen tweeted: “Thomas Deacon Academy have regularly supported us and yesterday we received from the students a large donation of food and toiletry items. Thank you TDA, you are amazing!”

One tutor group in the Sixth Form took their donations of grocery items to the Millfield Community Fridge which will serve the local community.

During their visit, the students learnt about the various aspects of why and how the food bank started and the positive aspects of running it, including redistributing good food from restaurants and supermarkets.