DROITWICH children recreated a 100-year-old activity for soldiers serving in Iraq as part of their WW1 Great Blackberry Pick project run by Droitwich Library.
Ombersley First School handed Christmas boxes to the Support Our Soldiers charity in the spirit of Princess Mary, who was responsible for the production of a tin sent to serving troops in 1914. Back then the care packages contained tobacco, cigarettes, pencils and Christmas cards from the Royal Family.
The boxes sent by the year three and four students at Ombersley included food and treats.
Charity representative, Nicki Philipson-Stowe, said: ““We are delighted that the Ombersley children have been so generous.
“In 1914 over 2.5million people were eligible to receive the Princess Mary tin – every serving soldier, sailor and airman, as well as prisoners of war and next of kin of those killed in battle.
“Luckily we don’t have to provide nearly that many boxes these days.
“The Ombersley boxes will be heading for British soldiers currently serving in Iraq.”
Coun Lucy Hodgson, cabinet member for localism and communities, said: “Droitwich Library has created such an interesting community project and the children who have taken part so far are clearly really enjoying themselves and learning a lot about this period of our history.”
The Great Blackberry Pick Project involves four schools and an exhibition of their work is currently on display in the library.
For more information visit www.thegreatblackberrypick.wordpress.com and for more on the charity go to www.supportoursoldiers.org.uk
