This year, instead of doing a Secret Santa, the Aldridge School TAs decided to do a Reverse Advent calendar in aid of the Black Country Food Bank, based at the Thomas Project. We are all becoming more conscious of the environment and not creating more waste, so rather that buying each other something we didn’t want or need, we thought we would put the money to providing for people in our community who are in need.

We put together a list of 25 things that were recommended on the website and each of us ticked off an item to bring in and put in our festively decorated box. The items ranged from basics such as tea, coffee, pasta and toilet rolls to a few treats like biscuits and chocolate. Each of us could bring as little or as much as we wanted, but together we made up a big box of goodies that would make a lovely food parcel to be given out in the run up to Christmas.

If you would like to do something similar, the items suggested for the box are below. They can be delivered to The Thomas Project, 196H Walsall Wood Road, Aldridge. It doesn’t have to be everything’s no on the list, just give what you can, and they will make it up into a box.