A GROUP of women who help the children of Thornbury Primary School stay well fed won the Community Involvement Award at the School Awards.

The “toast ladies” were nominated by Karen Dunwell, PA to the school’s head for their role in both feeding pupils and helping raise money for the school.

Made up of Arosa Mukthar, Abbey Adetona, Jasminder Kaur, Farzana Hussain, Michelle Kettlewell and Hajra Jabeen, the ladies are a group of parents who attend school early every Friday morning to make and sell toast to children during break time.

The money raised is then used by the school to buy much needed equipment for the children.

Mrs Dunwell said: “Last year they raised more than £3,000, buying each class large sports bags filled with sports equipment.

“Additionally they contribute money for charity fundraising days. The current aim is to raise money towards a new school cooking kitchen. They are totally committed to their cause.”

Accepting the award, the first to be handed out on the night, the toast ladies said they were "delighted" and weren't expecting to have been named winners in the category.

Aroza Mukhtar said: "We're all speechless, Everyone is going to be really pleased when we take this award in tomorrow morning. The children are going to be really excited. to see it."

Hajra Jabeen added: "We didn't expect to win at all."

The award was sponsored by the Ahead Partnership.

Honourable mentions:

Bradford Girl's Grammar School

St Oswald's CofE Primary School