Developer Caro stepped in to ensure six children at Millstead School in Everton who had to stay home due to COVID-19 didn’t miss their annual Christmas play. Tony McDonough reports

Children from a Liverpool school will be able to enjoy their annual Christmas play from the comfort of their own homes thanks to a Liverpool developer.

Six pupils who attend Millstead School in Everton, each have complex medical conditions that makes them particularly susceptible to COVID-19 infection. While the school has remained open in lockdown, the six have had to remain at home.

To ensure that they get to enjoy this year’s Christmas play, it has been filmed and put onto DVD. Thanks to a donation of £1,500 from local company Caro Developments, each of the school’s 131 pupils will also receive a personalised gift from Father Christmas.

“Staff have worked incredibly hard to ensure that the Covid restrictions do not affect school life for our children,” said headteacher Michelle Beard.

“Special school leaders have worked tirelessly with Public Health England and local authority officers to try to implement the government guidance that will allow these children to get back to school as soon as possible.

“Our staff know our children incredibly well. They work hard to understand the individual interests and sensory needs of all children. Thanks to Caro’s help we’ve been able to tip Santa the wink and a little elf tells me that every child will receive a special gift from him which we know they’ll love.”

This year’s Christmas play is called Christmas in Lockdown – Millstead Style, with each child given a starring role.  All families will receive a copy of the DVD to enjoy at home. Neil Carlyle of Caro Developments, added: “We’re neighbours and Millstead does amazing work that benefits the whole city.

“When we heard that they hadn’t been able to fundraise because of COVID we just had to step in. The children and their families deserve the very best support and learning resources and with Santa’s help we are able to provide that.”

Any readers wishing to make donations to support the school’s valuable work are asked to contact Lynn Irwin on 0151 207 4656 or lynn.irwin@millsteadschool.co.uk