Professional Cookery students at West Lothian College have been working hard throughout December giving back to their community.

Level 6 students will be creating 120 treat boxes to be deliver out into the community. The Neil’s Hugs Foundation is arranging the distribution of these boxes with the food bank and the Lanthorn Community Centre.

The boxes have been donated by Lothian Supply Company, with many students supporting the cause by donating ribbons, bows and tags to give the boxes a festive feel. The students will also drop personal notes into each box they create.

Lecturer Audrey Buckley said: “I would like to thank Donna Paterson-Harvie at Neil’s Hugs for organising the distribution of these boxes. We’re really proud of our students for working so hard for the community and they’ve taken initiative in doing something fantastic for the holidays.”

HNC students will be giving back by making 1,000 mince pies to be distributed across West Lothian with meals prepared by The Larder on the final day of teaching this year on December 18.

Dereick Rushton, Head Chef at The Larder, said: “Christmas is about giving from the heart and that’s what West Lothian College hospitality students have done this Christmas.

“We are so grateful to receive 1,000 delicious mince pies made by the students. We will be sending these out to all Catalyst Kitchen beneficiaries with their Christmas dinner.”

The Larder has been providing meals for the community since March and will be distributing 500 Christmas meals on December 21. The students’ mince pies will go out with these meals.