As the season of Advent invites us once again into a spirit of hope, generosity and preparation for the coming of Christ, students at St Paul’s Catholic School in Milton Keynes are already hard at work helping to bring light to those most in need.
This year, the school’s Sixth Form is proudly supporting Caritas Northampton’s Bags of Kindness campaign, part of the national Love Christmas initiative, which unites churches, schools, charities and people of goodwill across the country to share simple acts of love with neighbours who may be struggling.
Meeting an urgent need
During a recent visit with the Year 13 RISE cohort, Deacon Jim Hannigan, highlighted a particular shortage of gifts for teenagers and adults, groups often overlooked at Christmas. In response, students are encouraging the whole school community to help fill this gap.
All donations can be handed in to the RE Department at St Paul’s, where Year 13 students will carefully prepare the Bags of Kindness as part of their RISE lessons.
Donation deadline: Tuesday 16 December
Gift ideas for teenagers and adults
- Toiletry sets (shower gel, deodorant, body spray)
- Socks, gloves, hats
- Notebooks, journals, pens
- Puzzle books, small games, card sets
- Hair accessories or grooming items
- Hot chocolate sachets or sweet treats
- Small fragrances or body mist
- Reusable cups or water bottles
Please note: all items must be new and unopened.
Every donation, however small, helps brighten someone’s Christmas.
For questions regarding St Paul’s collection, please contact Miss Hickey at roisin.hickey@st-pauls.org.uk.
Caritas Northampton has been part of the Love Christmas network since 2021, working with partners of all faiths and none. Thanks to the dedication of our schools, parishes, volunteers, and the generous support of BBC Radio’s Bernie Keith and listeners, the diocesan campaigns of the past four years have been extraordinary.
Between 2021–2024 we were able to:
- Collect, sort, and distribute over 1,700 Bags of Kindness,
- Support more than 4,000 vulnerable people across Northamptonshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Slough,
- Provide toys, books, puzzles, toiletries, warm accessories, sweet treats, baby gifts, and other thoughtful items,
- Bring comfort and joy to individuals and families facing significant challenges.
Caritas Northampton partnered with a wide range of organisations, including Age UK Northants & Beds, Level Trust, Stepping Stones & Chums (Luton), The Children’s Trust Northampton, Young Carers Northants & Beds, Helping Hands & Bucks County Council (Aylesbury), Daisy Chain Children & Family Centres, Together at Christmas & Rough Sleeper MK, Slough Borough Council, and many others.
These Bags of Kindness were received with tremendous gratitude, helping to put smiles on thousands of faces at Christmas.
