A Coventry school has received more than 100 gifts from generous shoppers as part of a community scheme which ensures that presents are given to those who need it most this Christmas.

Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, part of the Romero Catholic Academy, has been selected as a recipient of Dunelm Coventry’s ‘joy tree’.

The joy tree, a Christmas tree based in the store at Airport Retail Park, featured anonymous gift tags detailing the age, gender and interests of each of Corpus Christi’s 110 children who are entitled to free school meals.

It also featured tags with gift ideas for residents at Weavers Care Home and Poppy Court, both in Coventry, who were also chosen as recipients.

Shoppers were asked to select a tag and spend around £10 on a gift, but staff members were overwhelmed to see many shoppers spending up to triple that amount.

Everything from dolls, games, Lego and other toys were donated for the children, and staff at the store came together to wrap the gifts before they were delivered to the school.

Mark Tomkins, of Dunelm Coventry, said: “We knew that Corpus Christi was one of our local schools in Coventry so we got in touch and asked if they would like to receive gifts from our joy tree.

“We then worked with the staff to create the tags to ensure that each child entitled to a free school meal at the school would receive a gift that they will really enjoy this Christmas.

“It’s the first time that we have run the scheme so we weren’t sure how it would go, but we were overwhelmed by the generosity of our customers.

“Some people were taking two or three tags at a time, others were spending £20 or £30 on a gift – it was just incredible.

“All of the staff then came together to wrap the gifts. We remained socially distanced, but it was extremely emotional to know that all of the presents we were wrapping were going to some of those most in need.”

Michelle James, office manager at Corpus Christi Catholic Primary School, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to Dunelm Coventry and all of the shoppers who generously donated a gift.

“It was extremely emotional when the presents arrived, a few staff members were even in tears as it meant that those children who need it the most will receive a lovely treat this Christmas.

“Dunelm’s joy tree is a fantastic scheme which means even more this Christmas after what has been an incredibly difficult year.”

CAPTION - Corpus Christi staff members Zoe Pollard and Rachel Lloyd with just some of the Dunelm donations