The Learning Academy Partnership (LAP) has been given £15,000 in order to provide pupils with a range of healthy food hampers and vital support through the Christmas holidays.

The money was awarded by the Devon Holiday Activities and Food Programme (HAF) as part of a Department of Education initiative to provide parents with access to healthy food and assistance during the festive season. The fund supports children to eat more healthily, be more active over the school holidays and have a greater knowledge of health and nutrition as well as be more engaged with school and other local services.

The Learning Academy Parternship is made up of 10 schools across Devon.

The Trust is thrilled to be able to offer additional support for families within their community, thanks to the Fund.

In addition to the supply of goods, the Fund offers families a point of contact during holiday periods that can be vital for them in accessing support and services.

This Christmas, with the assistance of the HAF, senior administrators at the trust have organised and provided local families with a selection of nutritious food, Christmas crafts, family fun and lots more.

Families are being provided with organic veg and fruit hampers; organic recipe boxes; family cinema vouchers and swim vouchers; children’s Arts and Crafts; food vouchers for local restaurants; baking kits and gingerbread kits; family games and hot chocolate cones and sweet treats.

Local suppliers have also taken part in the project and have been able to make Christmas extra special for families, including Riverford Organic Farm, Tinkys Treats, Scott Cinemas, No Limits Café, Dartington Trust and Tesco.

Tracey Cleverly, trust lead for the Learning Academy Partnership, said: ‘This fund has enabled us to provide our children with some wonderful experiences and gifts this Christmas. By working together as a Trust, we are incredibly proud that we have secured this funding.

‘It is lovely to know that we have been able to help our children have a wonderful Christmas through the fund. Special thanks must go to Mrs Brodie and MrsWebber who put the application together in a matter of days.’