Pupils donated hampers full of festive food and gifts for disadvantaged children who would not otherwise enjoy a Christmas lunch or receive any presents.

Generous teenagers at King Alfred School (KAS), in North End Road, Golders Green, who are all undertaking The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), spent the term gathering up the goods before packing them into Christmas parcels last week.

They will be distributed to needy children in north London as part of a Christmas appeal run by the Alexandra Wylie Tower Foundation.

The foundation was set up in memory of Alexandra Wylie, a pupil of Channing School, in The Bank, Highgate, who died of cancer aged 17 in 2010. It works with the charity Kids Company to help deprived youngsters.

Alexandra’s mum Lindsey Wylie said: “We have been totally overwhelmed by the support from KAS. They have responded so generously and sensitively to our Christmas appeal.

“I found a real sense of community in the school with people not only being horrified to learn of the deprivation on our doorstep, but determined to make a difference in any way they could.”

Don Ewing, who runs the DofE programme at KAS, said: “The pupils were shocked to find that there were children living down the road who would not be having a Christmas lunch or getting presents.

“They were very keen to help in any way they could and have done a great job at mobilising the whole school.”

Anyone wanting to contribute can drop off non-perishable items or gifts at Spotless Organic, The Old Garage, Sunnyside Road, Archway. See www.awtf.org for more information.