An eight-year-old pupil and her classmates had no idea the impact their Christmas cards and gifts for homeless people and drug addicts would have.
But Ellena Sloan and her fellow pupils at Locks Heath Junior School found out that her homemade card and present of gloves and some chocolate had sparked a 46-year-old man to vow to give up alcohol.
Hannah Stewart, Ellena Sloan and Dee Russell
The youngster of Primrose Way was delighted that her donation, along with the other 120 Year 4 pupils’ gifts, had helped a man who has a history alcohol abuse for more than 20 years.
The school donated the presents to the Society of St James, which supports alcohol abusers, the homeless and those with drug problems.
And the charity said that at least one of the recipients of the gifts from Locks Heath had completely turned his life around because of the simple message and gift of kindness.
Ellena smiled and said: “I feel glad that everyone’s done it for the Society of St James and that it has made people happy and joyful.
“I wrote something like Merry Christmas and Happy New Year inside it.
Dee Russell and Hannah Stewart from SSJ’s fundraising team awarded certificates to the children.
Ms Russell said: “He is a real person with real problems and has made a real commitment to change his life because of the card from Ellena and the whole of Year 4.
“This act of kindness from a stranger has really turned his life around. Already he’s moderated his drinking intake – it has to be lowered before giving up entirely – and he’s working with the Alcohol Pathfinders Team to tackle his problems.
“He’s been building relationships with his family again as another direct result of the gifts.
Pupils donated more than a hundred presents and cards to the charity and raised more than £450 in two school performances called ‘The Gift of Christmas’.
They also raised cash by auctioning a gingerbread house made by the cookery department, selling cards made by staff and one pupil did a sponsored hula hoop event and lasted for 10 minutes keeping the ring moving.
Year Four leader Sue Clarkson, who organised the gift giving, added: “I’m very proud of what the children have done and the fact that they have been able to help others at Christmas.”