Coronavirus (COVID-19) presents an unprecedented challenge, as well as opportunities for organisations and individuals to come together to support communities in new and vitally important ways.

We love being part of Milton Abbas and want to do everything we can to support our beautiful village. The specific characteristics of our immediate community - being very rural, quite isolated from larger towns, and with a high proportion of older people - mean that support around COVID-19 is even more critical.

The School is now operating online, so while many of us our further away, our hearts remain in Milton Abbas.

Already, we are providing non-monetary support in the form of food and other supplies for vulnerable local people, helping local groups with logistics, and staff volunteering their time, while of course staying as safe as possible.

Any financial support given will be donated to these four causes:

1. Helping to feed needy families and vulnerable adults in our community via Food Banks.

2. Supporting Steve at the fantastic Steeptonbill Farm Shop, in his work to get food to the most isolated families.

3. Donating to the Milton Abbas Parish Council towards extraordinary expenses at this time.

4. Initiatives by the School to directly support the response, for example the manufacture of masks, visors or other protective equipment for healthcare workers by our Design & Technology Department.

We will be contributing to these causes in lieu of being able to run some of our usual events and rewards schemes this term.

We are also asking anyone in the extended Milton Abbey community - parents and others connected to the school - to consider contributing to this campaign, instead of any other charitable events the School would usually run.

Of course, we understand the challenging times everyone is facing and that people may already be supporting causes in their local area, so any donations at all will be greatly appreciated and wisely used. Thank you for your consideration.