SIXTH form students have forged a link with a humanitarian charity which has been lauded for its work during last December’s floods.

When areas of Lancashire flooded last Christmas, sixth form tutor and head of drama at Accrington Academy, Nicky Grace, met some of the volunteers and officials from the Al-Imdaad Foundation.

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The Blackburn-based charity gave its time and energy as well as hot food and supplies to people who had been affected.

Established in 2003, the Al-Imdaad Foundation not only provides aid and funds to people in crisis in East Lancashire but they also works in international aid relief and development.

Seeing their hard work, dedication and compassion for complete strangers, the Accrington Academy students led by Mrs Grace invited the charity into the school to deliver a talk.

The visit inspired the students to make their own humanitarian contribution by organising a fund-raising day.

The pupils worked with the beauty therapy students to offer hand and arm massages and henna tattoos along with home-made samosas, with all the money raised going straight to the foundation.

Mrs Grace, sixth form tutor, said: “Thanks to the students’ hard work, the money they raised will be used by Al-Imdaad to provide 170 meals for local people in need in Lancashire as part of their Food For Thought project.

“The sixth form plans to continue their links with Al-Imdaad with more charity fundraising planned for the next academic year.”

Al-Imdaad Foundation’s aim is to provide humanitarian services throughout the world irrespective of race, religion and culture.

Country director of Al-Imdaad Foundation UK Abdussamad Mulla, said: “Special thanks to Nicky Grace and the students from Accrington Academy for their sterling efforts.

“Their kind donation will enable people here in Lancashire to benefit with hot meals.

“The Food for Thought project has been delivering meals every Sunday since September 2014, with more than 12,000 meals distributed so far.”