Deprived youngsters in north-west Africa received a gift this Christmas thanks to the generosity of year seven pupils at Holy Family Catholic School.

Students decorated, filled and dispatched shoeboxes of goodies to the Samaritan’s Purse charity, which is an international relief organisation.

Each box contained small presents, such as toiletries, toys, pencils and items of clothing, including gloves or a hat, along with £2.50 to cover shipping costs.

Ellen Curran, pastoral assistant with year seven, said: “The students have been very enthusiastic and generous.

“The mixture of contents in the boxes are intended to help the children receiving them keep clean and warm, as well as helping them to play and learn.”

Supported by staff members Elizabeth Whitaker and Carol O’Connor, Holy Family pupils sent off 78 shoeboxes.

Mrs Curran said these were dispatched to Liberia, which has been recovering from a devastating civil war.

“We don’t know the precise circumstances of the children that received our shoeboxes, but that doesn’t matter,” she said.

“It’s all to the common good that we can instill into our students the absolute need to care and share.”