Belvedere Junior School hosted a special evening for the local community.

Families had been invited to enjoy a free Christmas dinner and children were treated to a meeting with Father Christmas in Santa’s Grotto.

Teresa Pearce, MP for Erith and Thamesmead and guest of honour, enjoyed a Christmas dinner with local families.

She commented: “The evening was a lovely family event. It was heart-warming to see such generosity of spirit – especially when it came to the raffle draw – when people were really pleased for each other.”

Nourish Catering provided the meals and the evening was part of an ongoing collaboration between the catering company and The Pioneer Academy Trust. This is an initiative which offers meals to children and families at difficult times of the year - when they may be struggling to make ends meet.

One of the highlights of the evening was the grand prize draw. Over 80 prizes were on offer, all of which had been donated by local businesses and the family and friends of staff at Belvedere Junior School.

The star prize was a children’s hamper (donated by Ashton Reeves Estate Agents of Bexley) which contained a £100 Asda voucher.

Becky Lomax, headteacher, said, “We enjoy putting on the Christmas Community Meal. Many staff members are keen to volunteer their time for an evening which clearly demonstrates the spreading of festive joy.”