Pupils at The Olive School in Blackburn collected 28 bins bags full of old winter coats to keep vulnerable people warm this winter.

As part of their Festive Winter Giving Programme, during which pupils demonstrate their contributions to the wider community through charitable actions, the youngsters collected almost 200 coats for the Wrap Up Lancashire initiative supported by Blackburn Rovers and spearheaded by Rotary Clubs in Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley.

The children visited the collection point at Roverstore at Ewood Park to drop off the coats which will now be sorted and delivered to charities for distribution to those in need as winter sets in.

In partnership with Hands On London, a charity which introduced the Wrap Up London initiative eight years ago, Rotarians in East Lancashire are collecting unwanted coats and giving them to charities that support the homeless, children living in poverty, vulnerable adults and people fleeing domestic violence.

Julie Bradley, executive principal, said: “We like to encourage our pupils to think of others. I am so proud that the children and their parents have been so generous in donating hundreds of coats to keep people warm this winter. I’d like to thank them all for their generosity.”