When the month of December rolls around, our doormats are covered with the Christmas cards that come through our letterboxes.

This year, those cards are more important than ever, with over four million adults saying they are “always or often lonely” now the clocks have gone back.

For those who are visually impaired, it can be even more challenging, so pupils at one Test Valley school have decided to change that.

Grateley Primary School has been producing Christmas cards for blind and partially veterans as part of an appeal from Blind Veterans UK, which has been contacting school’s across the area about providing those who served with an extra message over the festive season.

Sarah McNair, the school’s admin and finance officer, told the Advertiser that the idea was to do “something lovely” for veterans.

“It’s hard at this time of year,” she said. “They’re more isolated than normal, so we thought this would be a good way to connect blind veterans with young people.”

Pupils across all year groups have been making tactile cards for the veterans, featuring bells and different materials to give the card an impact beyond the written word. For partially sighted veterans, cards feature bright colours and bold lettering to send a festive message.

“They enjoyed making a glittery mess everywhere,” Sarah said. “The children have asked who the cards are going to, which have linked quite nicely with our Remembrance Day assemblies. 38 per cent of the school are military children and we like to stay connected with the military community and the wider one.”

The school regularly celebrates its military connections, with past activities including demonstrations from those serving at the Middle Wallop Army Aviation Centre and camouflaged hide and seek for pupils.

In total, pupils have made 94 cards for veterans across Hampshire. These will be picked up shortly, before being distributed by the charity in December.