Crompton House students have handwritten thousands of postcards to spread cheer across Greater Manchester since launching their #WriteaSmile project in February 2022, with their latest Christmas campaign raising over £700 for hospital patients.

The initiative, which encourages pupils to share jokes, poems, and happy memories on colorful postcards, has delivered handwritten messages to local primary schools, hospitals, residential homes, and church communities. This Christmas, students expanded their efforts by creating a festive hamper that was raffled at the school’s Christmas Fair, with all proceeds supporting NorthCare charities’ ‘Care this Christmas’ campaign to provide gifts for every patient spending the holiday in local hospitals.

In an unexpected twist, the parent who won the donated hamper - who had been hospitalized the previous Christmas - returned the prize to Oldham Hospital so they could continue fundraising. Meanwhile, Year 7 entrepreneurs Rory Green and Jacob Fitton contributed additional funds by selling handmade Christmas cards and festive bookmarks to their classmates.

Karl Newell, Executive Head Teacher and CEO, praised the community response: “We are so very grateful for the continued support from our parents, carers and the school community and phenomenally proud of our students who continue to go above and beyond creating new ways to help those within our local community through the #WriteaSmile postcard project.”

Jessica Pollard, Fundraising Officer for NorthCare Charity, said the students’ efforts would ensure every patient across the Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust receives a Christmas gift, adding “it really does make a difference” to those spending the holiday in hospital.

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