Ramsey Grammar School students have been bringing Christmas cheer to the community with a Christmas cards initiative.

Some 150 students in year eight (ages 12 and 13) have made cards to give to Age Concern to distribute to Meals on Wheels customers as well as care homes, supported living facilities and hospital wards.

It comes after the students researched festive poems, stories, jokes, songs, literary references to include in the cards. They also included a short, personal introduction of themselves and their thoughts on Christmas, school and interests.

English teacher Jenn Nickson, who organised the event said: ’We are delighted with this opportunity to build a partnership with elderly neighbours in our local community.

’We hope that this event will improve students’ understanding of the challenges faced by older people who may not have the family network which can be so taken for granted at this time of year.

’We hope we will be able to work alongside Age Concern in the coming months and develop some of these links so that young people can share their experiences of growing up on the Isle of Man.’