Comfort and Joy: Schoolchildren join forces to write 70 letters to spread some joy to retired people this Christmas

Pupils in Year 6 at Arundel Court Primary Academy put their best letter-writing skills to the test to play their part in this year’s Comfort and Joy campaign.

The campaign, backed by The News, sees 10 charities receive vouchers donated by the community throughout December.

This year, St Mary’s Church, Hive Portsmouth and Portsmouth City Council have joined forces to widen the campaign aims to make sure no one is lonely during this festive season.

Around 70 cards and letters were written and decorated by pupils at the school in Landport to be delivered to retirement living communities at nearby Nicholson Gardens and Durban Homes.

Jess Goldberger, school religious education co-ordinator, said: ‘We decided to join in the citywide campaign of Comfort and Joy as we know that this has been a difficult time for many in our community.

The children were very excited to help and wanted to spread some joy so they thought the best way was to write some letters to the residents at Nicholson Gardens and Durban Homes.’

Pupil Ajveer Singh said: ‘I felt happy that people who do not have much family got a card for Christmas.’

Classmate Bow Anne Shanahan said: ‘It's great to feel we could be family for people in Portsmouth.’

The cards will be delivered in the lead-up to Christmas to spread some happiness and community spirit.

SEE ALSO: Vouchers from community will be the 'rainbow' for homeless people this Christmas

Members of the community are encouraged to write their own cards for a neighbour, friend or nearby care home to ensure festive feeling is felt by all.

Another way to help the campaign is to get involved with the voucher scheme.

Simply buy a Christmas card and write a message, without including your name and address, and purchase a gift voucher of £5 to put inside the card.

Do not seal the envelope, and place the Christmas card into one of the festive postboxes at Tesco stores in Havant, Fratton, Gosport and Portsmouth’s Crasswell Street.

Alternatively, send a gift card, cash or cheque payable to St Mary’s Church in the post to St Mary’s Vicarage, Fratton Road, Portsmouth, PO1 5PA or hand in at St Mary’s Church any morning between 9am and midday.

The deadline for receiving donations on December 18.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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