Whether by sending boxes of gifts to delighted children in eastern Europe or selling trees for charity, transition year students are helping to spread Christmas cheer, reports John Holden

Schools do charity work throughout the year. Some set up projects in their communities. Others go farther afield and make links with those in need in the developing world. Many more fundraise, perhaps prompted by one of the many charities and non- governmental organisations that look for help from schools. But there is something about this time of year that brings out the best in people. Many fundraising and awareness projects go into overdrive in the run-up to Christmas, and transition-year students are in a good position to get involved.

Often, they're events that everyone can contribute to. If you live in south Dublin, for example, you could buy your Christmas tree from TY students at Blackrock College, as the proceeds will go to the Society of St Vincent de Paul.

If you're at Stillorgan Shopping Centre this Friday, TY students from Oatlands College will be singing carols - also for the Society of St Vincent de Paul - between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

And if you're in Co Cork, look out for TY students from St Francis Capuchin College, in Rochestown, who will be raising money for Bóthar.

We asked students at four schools around the country how they were helping charities this Christmas.

Why one school is keen to back smaller charities

MALAHIDE COMMUNITY SCHOOLStudents at Malahide Community School, in north Co Dublin, have one of the busiest transition years around. "We've just finished a collection for the Irish Wheelchair Association," says Sinéad Donlon. "We were selling Angel pins in Malahide village, and we raised €1,500."

"I was only there for two and a half hours, and I collected loads," says 15-year old Sarah Boyne. "The Angels cost €2, but most people would give you more than that. I suppose people are a little more generous around Christmas."

Manya Sahni had the same experience. "They sold so quickly. People were really generous, and some were even congratulating us for the work we were doing."

Many of the school's TY students volunteer on Wednesdays in nursing homes, hospitals and other parts of the community. The school also has connections with the Society of St Vincent de Paul and the ISPCC, among others, and it is putting a lot of effort into supporting the less well-known charity Debra Ireland, which supports people with epidermolysis bullosa, a rare skin disease.

Student Kelly Lynch has a brother with the genetic disorder. "Debra Ireland is a small charity, and less than 1 per cent of their funding comes from the Government," she says. "So they need plenty of help. We're trying to raise money in a number of ways. We've done cake sales, a raffle and a variety show."

So far they have raised more than €2,000, and they plan to raise more over Christmas and beyond.

'When we were selling holly one woman congratulated me'

CLONKEEN COLLEGEThis festive season TY students at Clonkeen College, in Blackrock, Co Dublin, have been raising money in all manner of ways for charities at home and abroad. As well as organising a quiz and street collections, they will be fasting and collecting hampers. They must have found some extra hours in the day.

"Throughout the year the whole school is involved with our Third World support group," says Chris Campbell, a transition-year student. "But Christmas is a big time for us. We do a lot of collecting. There are quite a few demands from charities, so we have to rotate our support each year. We recently had a quiz night for Education Project for Ethiopian Children, a charity which was set up by a former teacher here. We raised €7,000."

TY students were also out on the streets of Dublin, selling holly for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.

"People are generally in a good mood when they're out Christmas shopping," says 16-year-old Cillian Casey. "So charity collectors usually do well. We were stationed up by St Stephen's Green, near Grafton Street. We went up either side of the taxis queuing up on the green. By the end of the day we'd gotten them all."

Some students have given up their weekends for the Society of St Vincent de Paul, to go door to door delivering envelopes for Christmas contributions. "Voluntary work is timetabled into our yearly programme," says student Craig O'Hare. "There are plenty of different projects to get into. But TY is not a busy year, so it's the best time to do it. There will be a Christmas fast soon, where you get people to sponsor you to go without food for 12 hours. I've been doing it for the last three years. It's not that hard. Things could be much worse."

Clonkeen College TY is also giving its support to Pieta House, a centre for the prevention of suicide and self-harm. Fifteen-year-old Marcus Dalton has been collecting on its behalf. "We were in Cornelscourt Shopping Centre, in Dublin, selling air fresheners and pins and giving out information leaflets," says Marcus. "We raised €600 for the group. This week we're starting our Christmas-hamper campaign. We collect non-perishable food from students and local businesses. They are then distributed to people in need in our area.

"This is a good time of the year for charity work," he adds. "People are more generous. In town it's always very busy, and when people see others out in the cold, raising money for charity, they show their appreciation. If people are willing to go out in the cold, they deserve something in return. When we were selling holly one woman came up and congratulated me. It was great."

Operation Christmas Child: sending gifts around the world

DROGHEDA GRAMMAR SCHOOLStudents at Drogheda Grammar School, in Co Louth, are spreading Christmas cheer in eastern Europe as well as in their community.

Every year its TY students travel to local primary and secondary schools to help collect gift-filled shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child, the annual Samaritan's Purse appeal. "Earlier in the year we ask schools to get involved," says student Simon Nugent. "Then we visit them and collect their shoeboxes. We're the biggest collector in the northeast. The packages contain all sorts of things. There is no point just sending on toys and sweets to people who don't have basic things. So they might contain some toys but also educational supplies, toothpaste, gloves, hats, scarves, sunglasses and other general things."

The students have already visited more than 20 schools and collected more than 3,000 boxes that will eventually be shipped to Romania, Croatia, Armenia and Ukraine, among others. "Before they're sent we have to sort through them, to make sure there are no items that aren't allowed," says 15-year-old Kimberly Tanoh. "There are strict regulations about what can and can't be sent. The boxes cannot contain any food, medicine, war-related items, clothing, liquids or fragile items. Once we've done that they're shipped off just in time for Christmas."

The students are also aware, as charity begins at home, of the need to back the local community as well. So they also support a new women's refuge in the town. "We were invited down for the turning-of-the-sod ceremony," says TY student Philip King. "Since then we've been supporting them through a number of TY projects. The school has a Christmas concert every year, so this year we're going to have a variety show on December 20th, with music, drama and dancing. Half the money raised on the night will go to the women's refuge; the other half will go to another charity of our choice."

Maintaining their momentum

SALESIAN COLLEGESalesian College in Pallaskenry, Co Limerick, has been maintaining its altruistic momentum after the success of its Pinwheels for Peace project on World Peace Day.

"Since the school's been open we've raised money for Salesian schools in Johannesburg and Lesotho, in Africa," says Charlotte Hickey, a student. "Since October we've been raising money for them. So far we have €1,200, but more will come in. We'll be going out carol singing soon, and all the proceeds will go to missions in Africa. We do it every year. You can't be selfish this time of year. You have to think of others."

Voluntary work is a central part of TY at Salesian College. Students go out every Friday to help the less fortunate in their community. "I go to St Camillus's Hospital for elderly people," says Ciara Boyce. We entertain them, and they entertain us. We all sing songs, watch TV and keep them company. We have to learn the kinds of songs that they like, though - Galway Shawl and other old tunes. Over Christmas we'll be going in with Santa hats and presents, and we'll sing Christmas carols. A lot of older people can get lonely around Christmas time, so it's important that they are not left alone."

Her fellow student Lorraine Quinn read seven books in a month for the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Ireland's readathon. "It's done each year just before Christmas in our school," she says. "You get sponsorship to read as many books as possible. The more you read, the more money you earn, and there are also prizes for students who read the most in the school. So far we have raised €1,400 for MS research."

The Concern fast has been a regular feature at Salesian College for 20 years. "Were not able to eat anything for 24 hours," says Niamh Lucy McNamara. "This year TY are going to try and make an extra effort and get as many students involved as possible. It can be harder to get people involved in a project like this, as it is quite difficult. Since learning more about Concern in TY I'm very interested in the work they do, so I'll be happy to do it."

Amnesty International has traditionally had very strong support from the college. "The whole school marked Human Rights Day on December 10th," says 16-year-old Marie Balfry. "We made candles and then went into town to sell them. We always do plenty of work for Amnesty. This year already we've been selling friendship bracelets on their behalf and sending letters to human-rights defenders in Burma."