High school pupils help spread seasonal cheer through foodshare initiative
Four Whitworth Community High School students have had their artwork turned into thank you cards for a Whitworth based food charity supporting families across the country.
The Lighthouse Community Foodshare, co-founded in 2020 by Steve Gough, teamed up with art teacher Mrs Walsh to run a creative competition for pupils from Years 7 to 9. The brief was to produce an image featuring a lighthouse and seasonal elements from spring and summer. More than 200 students entered, with four designs chosen to be printed and distributed nationwide.
The winning artists were 12 year olds Anastassia Matel, Mahnoor Fatima and Lucia Clarke, along with 14 year old Alfie Howard. Steve Gough visited the school to present the finished cards and speak to the pupils about the charity’s mission.
The Lighthouse supports more than 300 people, offering not only food but also essentials such as school uniforms and household items. All services are delivered by volunteers. Gough told the students: “Everything is done by volunteers and without their support we wouldn’t be able to operate. These cards are our way of saying thank you to those who make the work possible.”
He also explained that the cards would be sent far beyond Whitworth, with supporters across the UK. “We set up within three weeks and were already helping hundreds of people,” he said.
Each of the chosen designs captured the spirit of the competition in different ways. Anastassia's featured a sea of flowers surrounding a lighthouse, while Lucia’s pastel creation was praised by Steve as gallery-worthy. Mahnoor, a member of the school's art club, also has a triptych displayed in the headteacher’s office and hopes to pursue a career in art. Alfie, who said he was surprised to win, admitted he’s “not really into art” but was glad he gave it a go.
Mrs Walsh said selecting the winners was no easy task. “We had around 200 entries and came up with a shortlist of seven. I think they have done a beautiful job,” she said.
Blossoms announce sixth album Songs From The Wedding Cake and UK arena tour
Jamie Varley given whole life order for murder of toddler Preston Davey
New leadership appointments mark next stage of growth for Roch Valley Radio
Award winning Darnhill Festival returns with free day of family entertainment
Rochdale mental health arts group shortlisted for national exhibition prize
Cllr Jordan Tarrant-Short steps down as Reform UK deputy leader in Rochdale
New poetry anthologies celebrate Rochdale voices after Town of Culture year
Hundred year old Rochdale care home resident dances on TikTok to raise money for children in Sri Lanka
Operation Tetbury helping transform Rochdale town centre as crime falls by more than 25 per cent
Thirty years on, the bomb that changed Manchester forever
One Rochdale councillor says Sudden Junction works could finish months ahead of schedule
Bury widow shares loneliness struggle as referrals rise for social prescribing support
Comments
Add a comment