A group of students from Sherborne Girls in Dorset will be heading to Bristol within the next couple of weeks to bring a little touch of festive magic to three Kids Company centres, founded by its inspirational former pupil, Camila Batmanghelidjh. The students, who are each head of Year 10 in their boarding houses, have raised money for the Christmas decorations by holding a Mufti day, and have chosen themes for each of the rooms. Castle Gardens in Sherborne has generously donated three Christmas trees to the project.
Amanda Mackintosh, External Relations and Community Co-ordinator at Sherborne Girls, says: “All the girls in the school have contributed to the stocking filler request by buying a present worth between £5 and £10. This is something we have done for the past four years and usually the presents are sent to Kids Company in London, but this year we will be taking the presents with us to Bristol when we decorate the rooms with the children, which will be really lovely. We also have 15 girls going up to Kids Company in London later in the month to help wrap presents. It is one of the highlights of the school year for the girls, and a charity that is very close to our hearts.”
Adds Camila Batmanghelidjh, who was awarded a CBE for her work on behalf of underprivileged children in Britain last February: “The sense of loneliness for children is enhanced as they watch families gather to celebrate and exchange presents. This year we’ll be an extra family for our children and give them the hope and sense of belonging they’re yearning for. Kids Company will open on Christmas Day for more than 4,000 children, young people and vulnerable adults.”
www.justgiving.com/KidsCompanyChristmas <http://www.justgiving.com/KidsCompanyChristmas