An English teacher in Bury St Edmunds has avoided spending the Christmas break in an empty school.

East Anglian Daily Times: English teacher Lorna Harris has avoided spending Christmas in her classroom after enough donations were collected for the Gatehouse charity Picture: ZOK MACLACHLAN PHOTOGRAPHYEnglish teacher Lorna Harris has avoided spending Christmas in her classroom after enough donations were collected for the Gatehouse charity Picture: ZOK MACLACHLAN PHOTOGRAPHY

Lorna Harris, who works at King Edward VI School, set her students a festive challenge: “I will stay in my classroom all Christmas unless you fill these four cupboards with food donations for Gatehouse,” she told them.

Her year nine English students set to the task at hand. They used persuasive writing to create posters to put up around the school, and sixth form student Joe Southwood delivered engaging assemblies urging his fellow students to donate to Gatehouse.

Within days the first cupboard in Mrs Harris’ room was full.

Courtney Musgrove (year nine), Chloe Gilbert (year eight) and Tneisha Feerick (year nine) collected a vast number of donations between them.

Parents, carers, students and friends of the school came together and the result was four cupboards filled to the brim with donations for Gatehouse, which runs a foodbank in the town and also prepares and supplies Christmas hampers for those who need them.

Mrs Harris said: “It’s great that I am not going to be spending Christmas in my classroom thanks to the hard work of my students!

“I am so pleased to have highlighted the incredible work of Gatehouse, and I know that some of those less fortunate than us will benefit from our donations. I am thrilled with the outcome.”