For decades, Hymers College has each year launched its Christmas Food Parcel Appeal, asking the students and their families to donate food to be delivered to those less fortunate.  Former Sixth Form students will remember that it was then their job to deliver the food parcels, walking down Walton Street to where older members of the community lived or for those with a driving licence, delivering further afield.

Finding out the exact year the initiative started has proved tricky, but former teacher, Mr Nicholls, OH Staff 1982-2015 (Modern Languages teacher and Head of Lower School, Years 7-9) helped with the scheme and was able to provide some further information:

I am not really sure of the exact year when it started but it certainly pre-dated me.  I remember way back in the early 80s, former geography teacher, Mr Gilbanks, OH Staff 1949-84, delivering an assembly where he would simply raise items from below the lectern as a demonstration of what was required, and that was that!

I'm not sure how many parcels were collected back then. I’m fairly sure that Mr Sutton, OH Staff 1962-2002 (former Head of Chemistry prior to Mr Prescott) took over the organisation of the collection once Mr Gilbanks had retired.

In recent years, some of our older, Old Hymerians, who now may be living alone, have received one of our food parcels, and have been grateful for the donation and visits from our students:

We spent about 45 minutes with a lovely Old Hymerian, who offered us tea and sent his regards to the Development Office.  He is looking great for someone of his age!   - Year 13  student 

The Hymerian 1992

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