MORE than 200 pupils poured into the local community to make a difference by volunteering.

The Bede’s Senior School pupils took part in Make a Difference Day which saw the youngsters volunteering across Sussex for a fourth year.

The students, who were all aged between 14 and 15, worked with a diverse range of institutions and individuals including Blind Veterans UK, Sheffield Park and the Secret Garden in Hove as well as in local charity shops, care homes and with elderly Sussex residents.

Throughout the academic year the school has been volunteering at Eastbourne District General Hospital and pupils have provided reading lessons at Broad Oak, Punnets Town and Park Mead Primary Schools.

Richard Mills, senior housemaster at Bede’s, said: “The aim is for the students to volunteer in person and take the time to give something back to their local community.”

One set of Bede’s pupils from Crossways girls’ boarding house welcomed Brighton residents from Blind Veterans UK for an afternoon of tea and a short performance.

Student Adelaide Coffey said: “It was delightful chatting to the veterans. We learned all about their travels, children, grandchildren and hobbies.

“After we had finished our afternoon tea, everybody took a seat in the Common Room, where we put on show for them.

“It consisted of many different acts including singing, piano playing and dancing.

“We all immensely enjoyed the afternoon and would hope that another one could be arranged another time.”

Bede’s student, Jack Robinson-Hopkins, helped his neighbours with their garden and said: “The time that I spent in their company made me realise that, despite certain restraints on their lives, they were still so kind, so full of life and so content.

“It was a real privilege to have the chance to help and I am planning on helping them again over the summer holidays.”