Schools across the Archdiocese have once again excelled themselves after responding to a call to donate a 'Bag of Hope'.

Ahead of last week's Leadership Conference hosted by the Diocesan Education Service (DES) school leaders were invited to encourage their staff and school communities to contribute to a Bag of Hope.

Each school was asked to donate a backpack filled with essential items (and a few treats!) that would support a person for a week, using a suggested shopping list. Schools were invited to choose a particular area of need such as homelessness, children and families, or other vulnerable groups, and prepare a bag accordingly.

A 'mountain' of hundreds of bags were collected at the Leadership Conference and blessed by His Grace, Archbishop Bernard Longley.

The bags will now be distributed across the Archdiocese as a sign of hope, care and compassion for those in need.

Steve Bell, Director of Education, said: "It was a wonderful occasion for the diocesan family of schools to come together with a focus on our mission to provide an outstanding Catholic education especially for the most disadvantaged amongst our communities.”

Diocesan Education Service website