Wellacre’s Reverse Advent 2022

Posted at 12:02 pm on 10th January, 2023

Supporting Cyril Flint at Christmas

Last year, we introduced the Wellacre community to Cyril Flint Befrienders.  The charity works in Trafford to ensure regular visits for elderly people in their home, who do not have frequent visitors. 

We wanted to support Cyril Flint again this year in our annual Reverse Advent and provide gifts to make a difference to their clients at Christmas once more. 

Wellacre students, families and staff donated items including mugs, tea, coffee and hot chocolate, as well as biscuits and chocolates. Thanks also to Celebrate 365 in Flixton who kindly supported us by supplying the gift bags.

  

The Reverse Advent coordinator and Turing Head of House, Mrs Irwin, also worked with her P6 Mindfulness Club to add some special touches to the gift bags.  Students coloured and created Christmas baubles and also hand wrote Christmas cards for each bag with a note to introduce themselves and Wellacre, and to let the elderly residents know that we will be thinking about them at Christmas. 

The Christmas card was designed by Wellacre student and club member Alfie, Year 8. Alfie won the school competition to find a winning card to use for the Reverse Advent Appeal and featured a front cover of the late Queen and Paddington Bear. 

Over 70 gift bags were put together and were hand delivered to lonely or isolated elderly community members in Urmston, Flixton and Stretford. 

We are happy to share messages of thanks from Cyril Flint:

“I’d just like to drop a message of appreciation and thanks to the pupils and staff of Wellacre  Academy to thank them for the gift that the Befrienders delivered just before Christmas.  Thank you.  It was a very pleasant treat and your thoughtfulness was a lovely surprise.”

Carol - Befriendee

“I believe your lovely school donated gifts to our lonely elderly residents. Would just like to say a big thank you as the gentleman I visit received one of them last evening when I visited (he hasn’t opened the gift - he’s saving it until Christmas Day) but the card was lovely and he really appreciated it, it really made his day.”

Hayley - Befriender

“I am a Cyril Flint Befriender and I wanted to let you all know how delighted the lady I visit was with your thoughtful card and kind gifts. What a brilliant thing to do! Huge thanks.”

Rose - Befriender

"Wellacre have once again outdone themselves with their support to the wider community and our service users at Cyril Flint Befrienders. We value Wellacre, the teachers, students and parents and all their generous work to support us. Wellacre is an amazing school full of exceptional students, willing to give back to the community with the upmost compassion. We really look forward to working with Wellacre again and the wonderful opportunities they bring to our service users."

Antonia – Community Fundraiser

 

Mrs Irwin, Head of House/Teacher of RE, said: 

“Thank you to everyone who has supported the Reverse Advent so generously again this year and to my Mindfulness Group who have excelled themselves in bringing together these fantastic gift bags, which will bring a bit of joy to Cyril Flint community members this Christmas.”

Mrs Sharrock, Principal, added:

“The Wellacre community always responds superbly when given the opportunity to help others.  Yet again, we are so proud of the efforts of so many. Thank you.”