If anyone was wondering where all the tins of beans, bags of pasta and packets of biscuits, that were so very kindly donated for harvest festival, went to… We can now tell you. They went to a fabulous cause, helping to give a more comfortable life to all the asylum seekers and foreign visitors we have living here in Thornaby.

Those who will tell you that these people have a very cushy life here in Britain are very mistaken. Many live on next to nothing, sleeping on floors in cramped shared housing, never knowing where their next meal is coming from. They have largely escaped from war torn countries, where their lives were at risk, some having to leave without their families, just to avoid danger or persecution.

Many of you will remember Mary Frankland from her many years of service as a teacher at St Patrick’s comp. She may have taught many of you reading this. Well, Mary has not settled for a quiet retirement, she works tirelessly to help the foreign visitors here in our town. She helps to feed them, clothe them and even runs a successful football team for the young men living here.

Mary called in to talk to Year 6 about the wonderful work she does in the community. The children were saddened to hear some of her stories of the people who have come to our country to seek refuge, but also thrilled to hear how many of them have done so well in making a life for themselves so far from their homeland.

The Mini Vinnies members from Class 12 did a fantastic job of gathering together and bagging all the Harvest Festival food for Mary to take away and distribute to the needy. She was thrilled with the amount of groceries and was so grateful to our school and all the parents and families who donated goods. Mary said “This food will make such a big difference to so many people. It will make their lives a little more comfortable, especially over the cold winter months”.

Click here to see photos!