KIND-HEARTED pupils from a Christchurch primary school have set-up a soup kitchen to help needy people.

The Year 6 youngsters from the Priory School have spent weeks planning their philan-thropic venture, preparing recipes and practising their bread roll-making skills.

And with a helping hand from generous local bus-inesses, the pupils have launched their project, with a weekly stall outside the Mayor’s Parlour in Christ-church town centre.

The group spend an hour from 6.30pm-7.30pm on Tues-day evenings doling out cups of warming soup and hot drinks to local people.

Headteacher, Claire King said: “I already help at a soup kitchen in Poole and I thought we should do a community project at school.

“The children leapt on the idea of the soup kitchen and asked would they be able to make their own soup.

“The grocer in the market, Mark Barrett, donates us vegetables and the youngsters spend Monday night making their soup.

“The school cook has supported us with the cooking and the children are having great fun.

“We are supporting the school trust deed – to serve the poor and needy of the community – and it’s good for the students to be aware that there are people in need in the local community.”

Waitrose has donated six flasks and sandwich bags and HC3S catering donated the ingredients for bread rolls.

Christchurch Food Bank has given the tea, coffee, sugar and milk for drinks.

And while the response has so far been limited, with news spreading throughout the Priory and other organ-isations, demand is sure to increase over time, Claire believes.

Judy Jamieson, chairman of governors at the school said: “I am very proud of the school and, of course, the pupils.

“They are reaching out to the community at a time of need and providing some much-needed support.”

The school is appealing for donations of cups with lids, a cool bag, bin bags, and non-perishable items such as biscuits or cereal bars.

Contact them on 01202 484105.