The Gift of Giving; PSC Christmas Boxes for Whitley CDA

The annual Christmas Box drop off took place on Thursday 5^th December as the Parent and Staff Community (PSC) gathered gifts from Leighton Park families for distribution via Whitley Community Development Association (CDA). Whitley CDA have spent a year compiling a list of individuals in need who are known to them through their work in the community on the doorstep of the School. Whitley is one of Reading’s most deprived areas and there is a real need to support individuals who may otherwise receive nothing at Christmas.

Jo Adey, Chair of the PSC, was enthusiastic about the initiative: “For me, the Whitley CDA Christmas Box Appeal exemplies what Christmas is about. I think it’s so lovely that we can match Leighton Park family with people in our community who don’t have as much and who aren’t as fortunate.” Alice Hassall, Year 8 parent and PSC Committee member, commented: “I was there last year when someone received their box from Leighton Park and it was just so heartbreaking. There are lots of charities, about six in Reading, who support families at Christmas, including the Reading Family Aid Toys and Teens that Leighton Park are also doing, but there aren’t really any that support individuals. I think it is so important for us to do this; there is a real need and it makes such a difference to them.

Liv (Lower Sixth), who was dropping off a box this morning, agreed, “I think it’s really good to support Whitley CDA because it helps the local communities and I think that it’s needed because we are so privileged: they deserve to have the same privilege as us. Abigail (Year 9) agreed, “We have a lot so it’s important to make sure people aren’t as privileged enjoy Christmas too.” Parent, Sabi Gill, “It’s so important because of what is going on with the cost of living, the payments being taken away and the economy, so any way that we can help the older generation, who probably aren’t as well off as everyone else, with everything that is going on, is important.”