KIND-HEARTED children at a west Hull primary have filled more than 500 shoeboxes with Christmas gifts for those less fortunate than them.
The 552 boxes were collected by pupils at Bricknell Primary School and will be sent to youngsters in Sierra Leone.
In just a month the children came together to donate essential items for the Real Aid appeal, along with toys and other gifts for disadvantaged boys and girls.
Debra Wheatley, community links teacher at the school, said it's the fifth year pupils, teachers and staff have been involved in the charity's collection.
She said: "This is a record-breaking year for us – we're up by more than 100 boxes, which is brilliant news.
"We've involved the Tigers Trust for the first time and it's really given the appeal a boost.
"They offered to give the class who donated the most boxes a free tour around KC Stadium.
"All of the children were really excited and it ended up being a bit of a competition.
"There are 630 pupils at the school and it's almost one box per child which has been donated."
Debra said even the caretakers and cleaners came together to give nine boxes full of gifts.
On top of this, pupils at nearby Newington Primary School also donated 26 boxes.
"It's fantastic that even other schools are getting involved and all of the teachers have been donating," Debra said.
"They are full of soap, toothbrushes, pens and pencils and there's a toy in every box.
"We're not allowed to put addresses in but it's not about getting something back from Sierra Leone, it's about giving.
"This appeal always makes the children realise how fortunate they are to wake up on Christmas morning and have presents.
"They also now understand how lucky they are to have the simple things in life like toothpaste.
"This appeal is always the start of Christmas at the school and now we've given something to others the children can start to have fun."
Pupils James Thackeray, 10, and Midhawy Alabri, 11, were among the children who helped to collect the boxes for Real Aid in Tickton.
The charity has an established network with headquarters near Beverley in East Yorkshire and international offices in Sierra Leone, Albania and Bulgaria.
Midhawy, of west Hull, said: "I have donated two boxes this year for little girls and put in toys and items which would help to save their lives.
"It's important that we all get together to help others and it looks great when all the boxes are piled up."
James said the generosity from those at the school had been "amazing."
He said: "Everyone should be proud of themselves for taking part."
Richard Dexter, school sports manager for the Tiger's Trust, said he was pleased the charity could be involved.
He said: "We were contacted and more than happy to come to the school and offer the pupils a tour around the stadium.
"It's absolutely amazing how many boxes they've collected and the sheer hard work from everyone.
"It will really make a difference to so many children's lives.
"We're hoping to arrange the tour before Christmas and hopefully we can be involved again next year, I don't see why we can't be.
"Roary is recognisable to all of the children and has helped to inspire them to help others."
