Determined children from a school in Coventry have been safely spreading Christmas cheer in the community.

Year 5 pupils from St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School, part of the Romero Catholic Academy, have visited Eden House care home to perform Christmas carols in the grounds as residents watched through the windows from inside.

Despite not being able to enter the care home, the children did not want to let Covid stop a long-standing tradition of them visiting to spread Christmas cheer to residents.

The children, who were all from the same class bubble so were able to safely perform together, sang a host of carols and Christmas classics.

The residents also received letters, which had all been quarantined for 72 hours, from the children as part of the Hearts to Homes campaign which aims to provide elderly residents who have been self-isolating for periods throughout 2020 with uplifting messages.

Principal Geraldine Marshall said it was an emotional afternoon which demonstrated just how important the local community and its residents are to the school.

She said: “We always sing at Eden House and after such a difficult year we really wanted to continue this tradition, but in a Covid-secure way.

“After speaking to the care home we decided that one of our class bubbles could sing outside while residents sat inside watching and listening through the windows.

“It was extremely emotional and all of the residents were incredibly grateful that we’d taken the time to visit and perform for them. The children had been practising for weeks and really sang their hearts out.

“Christmas time within schools is always so much fun for the children, so we’ve been trying our hardest to keep things as normal as possible by devising Covid-secure ways of delivering our usual activities.

“It was fantastic to visit Eden House and was a huge privilege for the children. Events like this help bring together generations and give the children a real sense of community spirit.”