PUPILS at a Knutsford school are doing their bit for the community by providing lunch and companionship to the town’s elderly.

Year seven and eight students at St John’s Wood School in Longridge are helping run a lunch club on Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Community Centre next to the school.

The service re-started last week after being cut before Christmas due to a lack of volunteers and both pupils and visitors are enjoying the benefits.

“St John’s Wood Lunch Club is run by the most amazing bunch of volunteers,” said school bursar Holly Fowlkes.

“Sadly they had to end Thursday’s service before Christmas because of the lack of volunteers, particularly drivers.

“However, I am really excited that our school has managed to breathe new life into the lunch club and our school cook, Rachael, served a roast turkey dinner followed by fruit crumble and custard for 15 eager lunch club members.

“I am also thrilled that some of our special needs pupils, supported by teachers, set up tables, helped meet and greet the clients and helped serve lunches as part of their John Muir Award.

“The year sevens helped with the setting up and year eights, 12 to 13 year olds, did the serving. A lot of them have never met anybody in their 80s before and the elderly have really enjoyed chatting with the kids – it’s been amazing.”

However, the club is in desperate need of drivers to pick clients up in the KTCA minibus and are appealing for help from the local community.

“It went really well,” added Holly. “After being closed for a couple of months they had 15 and are hoping to get the numbers up.

“But that’s going to hang on if twe get a pool of more volunteer drivers. Zoe Garner from Mobberley Cattery is one of our drivers but we need a few as she has a business to run too.

“It’s ideal for a retired policeman or fireman perhaps?”

Students at St John's are all statemented for BESD, which stands for Behavioural, Emotional and Social Difficulties.

Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer driver should contact Jan Maddox on 01565 633189 or at janmaddox@hotmail.co.uk