Pupils from a Muslim boys' school puts smiles on the faces of patients as they delivered Christmas gifts. 

A group of Year 10 pupils from Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School (TIBHS) made visits to children’s wards and older people’s wards at Blackburn Royal Hospital.

The pupils, accompanied by TIBHS staff and representatives of Brookhouse Development Group, took gifts of toys and games to boys and girls staying on children’s wards, and gifts of blankets, toiletries and treats to older people. 

Irfan Umarji, Vice Principal at TIBHS, coordinated the school’s donations and the visit to Royal Blackburn Hospital. Irfan said, “Our school aims to foster a charitable nature in our pupils all through the year, as we encourage them to take positive social action within their local communities. 

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"Christmastime is one of those times in the year when we step up our efforts to support people in need. 

“This year our school’s Festive Winter Gift Programme aimed to brighten the days of people having to spend time in Royal Blackburn Hospital during the festive period.

"It was wonderful to see patients smiling, happy to receive surprise gifts. It was also a hugely positive experience for our pupils to spread kindness and compassion in the hospital which is only a stone’s throw from our school.”

Year 10 pupil Sufian Naseer was involved in the visit to Royal Blackburn Hospital. 

He said: “You could tell that it meant such a lot to the patients to receive gifts. The elderly patients in particular were pleased to see us. It meant a lot to me too, to make them smile. We feel like we really made a difference.” 

Through the Festive Winter Gift Programme, all schools run by Tauheedul Education Trust are aiming to offer support to the most vulnerable people – young and old – in their communities.