The spirit of the season has arrived at McCarthy and Stone's Saxon Gardens Retirement Living Plus development on Penn Street in Oakham thanks to a special delivery from Oakham Church of England Primary School pupils.

A box full Christmas cards handmade by the Year 5 pupils brought joy to the homeowners at Saxon Gardens and further strengthened their connection to the local community. Each individual card also included good tidings and personal messages from the pupils.

Samantha Watkins, Deputy Divisional Sales and Marketing Director for McCarthy and Stone, said: "This year it was important for us to get creative and find new ways of bringing the community together, despite the challenges we're all facing.

"The pupils at Oakham Church of England Primary School have gone above and beyond to produce some incredible Christmas cards, which have truly brought some yuletide comfort and joy to homeowners at Saxon Gardens.

"Engagement with the communities in which we build is a key focus at McCarthy and Stone, never more so than throughout 2020 when we all might be feeling a little more isolated than before.

"We pride ourselves on creating a close-knit and supportive community, so we will continue to focus on innovative ways to forge these important connections until we can once again welcome everyone in person."

The homeowners at Saxon Gardens were thrilled to receive their cards, and as a thank-you sent a little festive tasty treat for the children to enjoy.

Mr Steve Cox, Executive Headteacher at Oakham Primary School, added: "All of our children

thoroughly enjoyed making and writing their cards. It was certainly a great way to get us all into the Christmas spirit and really help to foster relationships between the generations.

"We'd like to thank all of the homeowners at Saxon Gardens for sending their kind treats for the children. The delivery was a wonderful surprise for the children and they were absolutely thrilled that the homeowners enjoyed their cards so much."