For, instead of taking a treat out of their Advent calendar each day, pupils at Goosnargh Oliverson's Primary have been putting stuff in!
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Headteacher Helen Sant and her team were absolutely bowled over by the response to the idea. She said: " started as a way for us to support the salvation army this Christmas. We numbered the advent "windows" on a shelf in our hall, and added a mixture of gift ideas for Christmas and also toiletries and food stuffs needed by the food bank."
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The initial idea was for each child to contribute to at least one window that way families could give whatever they could afford. But, says Helen, the response was beyond expectations.
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With four days the boxes were packed.. and 48 bags of gifts were donated and enough toiletries and foodstuffs for the rest of the month.
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Helen added: " All the staff are really moved at how kind our families have found it in their hearts to be, at such a difficult time for so many. " Several of them have come and said to me that this is the best thing we have ever done at Christmas ". The children are learning what it means to have giving hearts at Christmas when so often the adverts at this time of year can make them want, want, want. "