Pupils in one of London’s most deprived areas have set up their own Christmas collection for the local foodbank to help families in poverty.

The sixform students at Whitechapel’s Swanlea Secondary, in the heart of the deprived East End, are appealing for food to be dropped off at the school in Brady Street in time to be handed in to the local food bank to be distributed to local families in need for the festive holiday.

The appeal is for tinned and dried food as well as nappies and hygiene products that can be donated by staff, pupils, parents and anyone in the community.

“This collection is going to be our best one yet,” Head Girl Syeda Pasha said. “We want people to know that it’s not only food that’s needed, but also things such a nappies for kids.”

December is a happy time with the school holidays coming and celebrating with family and friends.

But the youngsters are eager to point out that “not every family can enjoy the festive season” because of poverty.

The school which has one of east London’s best A-Level and GCSE achievement records over the past five years has a committed policy of community involvement to help break the cycle of poverty through education.

The sixthformers are urging anyone with food donations to drop them off at Swanlea’s reception area in Brady Street, off Whitechapel Road, at the pick-up point under the school’s Christmas tree.