Children's letters of hope to elderly in isolation: 'Hope this brightens your day'

Children from a school in Northampton have been writing letters to older people in the county who are isolating due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Age UK Northamptonshire received more than 100 letters from pupils at Abbeyfield School in Mereway.

Before the school closed its doors following Government guidance, students decided to turn their attention to helping support older people in their community.

They raised £1082 through a non-uniform day, collected donations of essential food items and wrote letters of encouragement to people who are feeling particularly lonely and isolated because of the lockdown.

The money raised is helping the charity to continue their emergency service. Money supports:

• Creating and delivering emergency food packages for older people.

• Preparing and delivering hot, two-course lunches.

• Carrying out welfare checks and making adaptations in people's homes where necessary.

• Carrying out shopping, dropping off medication and other essential supplies.

• Providing information and advice which includes benefit claims and checks.

• Telephone befriending.

The letters have now been delivered to older people via Age UK Northamptonshire’s emergency delivery service which is supporting over 300 people a week.

• One touching letter from a Year 10 student reads: “I know that you are probably scared and feel alone but you are not. The Abbeyfield School community is right behind you ready to help.”

The success of the letters donated by pupils at Abbeyfield School has seen Age UK Northamptonshire appeal for more “messages of hope”.

Young people are being encouraged to send electronic pictures, cards, and letters via email to fundraising@ageuknorthants.org.uk which can then be printed and delivered.

For more information on Age UK or how you can help during the Coronavirus pandemic click here.