Staff at St Dunstan's School in Glastonbury have been co-ordinating efforts to get presents to children in the town who may not otherwise receive gifts this Christmas.

Earlier this month, staff at the school put a post on their Facebook page that invited those who needed a little help with gifts to contact the school in confidence so that donations could be gathered, wrapped and delivered.

Very quickly, parents started responding to the post to offer donations of gifts - the response snowballed with members of the community who don't have children in the school offering help.

In addition, Carly - the Community Champion for Tesco in Glastonbury - had seen the post and got in touch.

Tesco staff were unable to have their usual Christmas party this year and had voted to donate their social fund to good causes in the area and so even more donations were offered.

By December 7, a veritable mountain of donations from staff at the school and the community had accrued in the staffroom.

The job of sorting and wrapping them seemed insurmountable but St Dunstan's staff showed their team spirit and gave up breaks, lunchtimes and any free periods to getting the job done.

By Friday December 11, the staffroom looked like Santa's Grotto with a very large table groaning under the weight of wrapped presents.

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Deputy head teacher, Lynda Bevan, said: "I wasn't surprised when staff came to me with the suggestion that we could do something to support families who have been badly affected by this dreadful year - our staff care so much for our students and their families that it was a natural step for us to take.

"What I was surprised by was the number of donations and the size of the pile that grew before my eyes on a daily basis.

"Yet again, staff stepped up to ensure they are all wrapped with care and ready to be distributed. We are very grateful to everybody who donated and to all those who undertook the mammoth task of being Santa's elves and getting that wrapping done."

Head teacher Keith Howard agreed and said: "I am incredibly proud to be the head teacher of St Dunstan's and to see the tireless efforts of our staff in caring for our students from the regular contact and support provided during lockdown one, to welcoming children back and maintaining a safe environment for all to this incredible display of generosity and love.

"I would also like to thank the parents and others in the community who have been so willing to step in and help out."