In December the Year 13 BTEC Business Group successfully undertook the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal, on behalf of the Academy.

For the last three years, the Year 13 BTEC Business Group has successfully undertaken the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal, on behalf of the Academy.

This is a two-fold operation: to raise funds for charity and to meet BTEC course criteria. The Appeal involves raising funds and collecting tinned food and toys for the needy in the locality during November and December and is also part of the assessment for the students BTEC Business Course covering Unit 18, Managing a Business Project.

The class of fifteen students worked in 3 groups of 5, one covering the Administration, Finance and Paperwork, one addressing Media issues and the last being the Fundraisers, who raised funds by washing staff cars and running a raffle.

The Salvation Army collected the donations at the end of last term and on Thursday 17th December the students attended the Salvation Army Citadel in Stockton for the day, to help with the organisation of the food and toy parcels for distribution. The students found this part of the Appeal to be a very humbling and character-building experience.

If it was not for this appeal, many people would go hungry over the Christmas period and many children would receive nothing at all on Christmas day.

The Salvation Army is the biggest social provider in this country, apart from the Government, but receive no government support. They are eligible for Lottery funding but, due to their beliefs, they are unable to accept the proceeds of gambling. All Salvation Army funding comes from public donations.

This year’s campaign was the most successful yet and produced 90 boxes of food and toys, beating last year's total of 74 boxes.

However, it is worth remembering that the Salvation Army do this kind of thing all year round, not just at Christmas.

Report by Mrs J MaddisonÂ