STUDENTS from Taunton School got a taste of what life is like for the less fortunate as they helped to pack donations for refugees.

The Year 7 class visited Refugee Aid From Taunton (RAFT), at its Old Market Centre warehouse last week to help sort and pack donations ready to be shipped to places like Calais.

The children met volunteers at the centre, had a tour of the building and looked at Christmas boxes aimed at child refugees.

They also wrote messages to hang on teddy bears, packed warm clothing for children and organised a delivery into boxes.

The boxes will be delivered to refugee children in the run-up to the festive season.

Zoe Lucas, a pupil at the school, said all the students enjoyed the event, and made them think about volunteering more.

She said: “It made us think about how lucky we are and encouraged us to donate.

“I think I would volunteer there so that I could make someone happy and to help someone who needs it. I would love to see the smiles on the faces of the homeless children who were being helped and supported by organisations like RAFT.”

For more information about RAFT, the work it does and how you can help, visit refugeeaidfromtaunton.org.uk