The whole school had been involved in collecting a variety of items such as tinned food, tea/coffee, dry goods, toiletries, books and videos. Each form provided their own gift wrapped box of gifts and it needed two minibus trips to transport the students and their boxes.

The students were accompanied by 3 members of staff: Lawrie Hawkin - Deputy Head, Ann Klematis and Philip Wheeler all of whom had worked alongside the students to promote the collection of gifts across the whole school. The students and staff were met by members of Stevenage Haven staff including Barbara Howard - Director, Frankie Trudgill - Manager of Chris Foster House, Sue Burgess - Deputy Manager and Mike Nash - Service Development Manager.

The staff and students had a brief tour of Chris Foster House, including a stop for a drink & biscuits, and were told a little of the history and current services provided for the residents. On Christmas Day the residents are joined by a number of ex-residents for Christmas dinner at Chris Foster House for what is an enjoyable celebration of Christmas in as much of a family atmosphere as is possible.

The Stevenage Haven staff were bowled over by the generosity of the students and staff of the Thomas Alleyne School and would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved at the school and to wish them all a Very Happy Christmas and Great New Year.

This story is one example of the consistent generosity of Stevenage Haven's many supporters - individuals, churches, schools, other community organisations, companies and local and national grant making trusts. We would like to thank them all and also send them our Very Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year.

We are also very grateful to the members of staff and volunteers who will be working over the Christmas and New Year period.

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