School hosts free Boxing Day brunch for Mansfield community

The academy will be opening their doors between 11am to 2pm on December 26, and invite anyone from the community to join them.

Students, staff and members of the community have volunteered to give up their own time to be on hand to serve guests and to join them in the festive celebrations.

The event is being supported by local businesses, including Tool Hire Express, who have made a significant donation towards the cost of the event.

Children will also receive a free gift from a very special visitor.

Helena Brothwell, principal, said: ‘We were blown away by the number of visitors last year, with over 140 guests including many of the homeless people in the town, elderly guests and families of our students.

"We want to exceed that in 2018 and continue to give something back to our local community.

"We know that the festive period can be tough on individuals and groups of people who maybe cannot be with their own family and friends at this time, so opening the academy to provide food and friendship is so important to us.

"It is also vital for our students to understand the importance of charity – it aligns with our Christian values here at the academy, and we embed strong morals and ethics amongst all children who attend Queen Elizabeth’s."