Christmas is a tough time if you’re facing poverty and deprivation.

But teenagers at Newham College have helped to make life a little bit better for some after collecting hundreds of gifts for charity Blythswood Care.

The 14 to 16-year-olds gathered so many gifts that a van had to collect them from the East Ham Campus.

The students spent time wrapping up the shoeboxes containing the items so they could be presented properly as gifts.

They will go on to be transported to where they are most needed and benefit both children and elderly people.

Tracy Laudat, the head of school for students who are under 16, said: “The students have done really well and have put together more than 100 shoeboxes.

“Some of our students, who were born abroad, actually received shoebox gifts themselves when they were younger before coming to England, so they really understand the impact of what they’ve done.”