STAFF from Wycliffe College and Prep school have donated to the Stroud District Foodbank rather than buy Christmas cards this year.

The idea to give donations rather than cards was the brainchild of the Finance Department at the school in Stonehouse.

Now it has caught everyone’s attention with different departments across the two schools starting their own foodbank collections.

“Every time people go to the supermarket they buy something to add to the donation box,” said Karen Rogers, Wycliffe fees manager.

“It’s created such a buzz that we have decided to carry on doing it after Christmas as it’s an easy and very tangible way to help people.”

Stroud District Foodbank has fed 3,635 people in the last 12 months including 600 in the Stonehouse ward alone.

Will Mansell, a spokesman for the foodbank, said: “The staff at Wycliffe have helped us build up our food stocks at our busiest time of year.

“We fed 500 people last December and this year we predict that we will feed even more.

“Without local people we wouldn’t be able to do so as all the food we use is given to us.”