ELDERLY people in Wath-upon-Dearne were surprised when 58 hampers full of Christmas treats landed on their doorsteps on Monday.
They were gifts from students at Wath Comprehensive where tutor groups have been filling baskets and boxes full of food.
“We ought to call it the Harrods Hamper Challenge because some of them wouldn’t have been lost in the top department store,” said headteacher Pat Ward, who offered “a huge thank you for the fantastic response from the whole school.”
The seasonal offerings to old people and needy families was started by the Year 9 Council two years ago and ten hampers were filled. In 2006 it was extended to the whole school and over 30 were made up by various tutor groups.
However, this year it has exceeded all expectations.
Two of the first students to be involved were Helen Gleadhall and Stefanie Tomes, now in Year 11. “When we started it was just Year 9s and we didn’t get many baskets, but it was nice to go out and see people,” said Helena, who was busy taking them out again on Monday.
“Some of them didn’t realise that we were bringing them a gift and wanted to pay us. One person dived under a table because they were scared and another was a bit suspicious about opening the door.”
Form 7TE won the competition for the best basket. One Upper Sixth student made a sledge in technology for his group and another hamper proved heavy to carry as it was built of MDF and filled with tinned food.
The baskets are delivered on an ad hoc basis to different homes each year and there are no nominations.
