School's Christmas event gives toys away for free

A headteacher has said her school's free Christmas sharing event is "cherished" by the community.

Short Wood Primary School in Wellington holds the event every year, which sees families from the school hand over unwanted toys and gifts.

The items are put inside the school's sports hall, where local people can come in and take some for free in the run-up to Christmas.

"Just seeing families that can have a little bit extra, at no cost to them, is a real pleasure," said Gail Butele.

"We do have a whole range of things donated, which is amazing," she told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"We all recognise the impact of the cost of living crisis, of rising prices, it's [the event] something that is really cherished amongst our community now."

The event, called Short Wood Shares, has been an annual fixture in the school's calendar for about three years.

Ms Butele said there was a clear demand for it.

"A lot of our families who have donated in the past, but have also gone and used things in the past, were asking us early on 'when is it happening?''"

"The children get loads out of it, they learn so much."

"If there is something that they've got that they're not using any more... that they have grown out of, it's really worthwhile to hand that on to somebody else," she said.

She added that it also taught pupils about reusing and recycling.

"It's a real opportunity for us to put that into action, and for the children to see that in action as well."

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