Pupils who attend a Helensburgh primary school’s breakfast club have given back to the generous businesses who keep the club running.

Hermitage Primary’s Toast Club gives pupils a healthy breakfast before school and is run by health and wellbeing family liaison, Madeline Paton, and additional support needs [ASN] assistant Arlene McNeilage.

Children thanked the club’s regular donors - The Co-op, Tesco, and Morrisons - by visiting them on Wednesday, December 20 to deliver cards and let staff know how much their efforts are appreciated.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Santa came to spread some festive cheerSanta came to spread some festive cheer (Image: Hermitage Primary)

Madeline said: “We couldn’t have started without all the amazing help I have had from our local community and our very supportive team at the school, especially our head teacher Marianne Docherty.

“The Toast Club works on the basis of breakfast for all and not only do the children get a great start to their day, they also develop friendships with other pupils from different stages and they get to know other members of staff from the school other than their class teacher to speak to.

“Long may the toast club continue and grow and I would like to see more of this in our other schools.

“If our really amazing community support is anything to go by then I am sure this could be possible.”

Helensburgh Advertiser: Staff were happy to receive a visit from the children and SantaStaff were happy to receive a visit from the children and Santa (Image: Hermitage Primary)

The children also brought along Santa to spread some festive cheer to the staff.

The club allows children to have a healthy breakfast for free and offers toast, cereal, and fruit.

Madeline and Arlene also offered their thanks to Nicola Ross and Nikki Monaghan from food sharing app Olio who contribute to the club’s supply.

The club was given two new toasters and surplus plastic plates from Young Carers in Helensburgh and the Naval Children’s Charity awarded a grant to the group.