Hannah Dykes from St Bede's Ormskirk has been busy sending out flyers in the local area to make it a happier Christmas

She collected 67 selection boxes, Christmas sweets, and over 50 toys and gifts for the South Sefton food bank.

Hannah told QLocal: "As part of my Faith in Action project, I decided to organise a collection for the food bank.

After speaking to Debbie, the manager, I decided to collect Christmas toys and gifts as well as selection boxes and chocolates for the whole family. I created leaflets which I distributed to friends and family, as well as my drama group, Helen O Grady.

"I am extremely grateful to everyone who donated and helped me support this fantastic charity."

The Food Bank staff were delighted with all of the items, which will be placed in festive bags for families in need this Christmas.

"While we were there, one of the members of staff, James, showed us around. I was amazed at how much food was given out to families. Did you know that they provide food for over 1000 people a week, and this increases even more over the Christmas period? Many of the people they support are hard-working low income families, who are given essential items such as tinned fish, meat, pasta and rice.

"I was really surprised that items that we take for granted, such as juice, coffee and biscuits are luxury items. Over 7-8 tonnes of food are given out each week, and up to April last year, they had supported 13,000 people. Toiletries are especially important as many people cannot afford these themselves.

"There was a lot of work involved in this project, but I’ve really enjoyed it. My visit to the Food Bank has really made me realise how important the donations will be at Christmas."

Said Head Phil Denton: "When we talk about our students at St Bede’s that ‘…want to make the world a better place’, we mean behaviours such as this.

"It is easy for students to be consumed with their own lives so for so many of our students, such as Hannah, to think of others is great to see.

"We are all really proud of Hannah’s efforts!"