A group of giving fathers have formed a dad’s Christmas army so they can spread festive joy across the borough.

And the latest mission for the dads of Sheen Mount Primary School pupils is heading out in the freezing cold to put smiles on faces by making Christmas tree deliveries for charity.

Showing community spirit is very much still alive and well chief army dad Alistair Parkes and 15 other willing dads took part in the school project to deliver 25 Christmas trees. The trees were donated by estate agents James Anderson to worthy causes, such as Hampton’s Shooting Star Hospice and mental health charity Mind.

Mr Parkes, 41, of Rothesay Avenue, North Sheen, said they had been inspired to get into the spirit of festive giving because the school had been keen to show how much the community cared for local causes.

He said: “We set up the dad’s army last September and it was really about thinking how to get dads involved with the school.

“Our task for this term was what could we do to help out with the Christmas fair and then this great idea came from parent teachers’ association member Vivienne Alexander.

“She approached a number of local estate agents to help sponsor the fair and asked James Anderson’s if they could give us 25 Christmas trees which we will use to decorate and then give to local charities afterwards.

“It was a fantastic idea and everyone was very grateful and supportive. We’ll definitely look to try and replicate this in the future as there is a real buzz around the school at the moment.”

Sheen Mount has set up a number of initiatives recently to try and get the community involved and have attracted more and more parents to help them work on charitable and school projects.

Working on the ethos that as a school they are part of the community and want to work hand in hand with other community members to help local causes, parents, teachers and governors at the school try to make sure they work towards ways of engaging all those around them.