Kind-hearted schoolchildren in Doncaster showed their compassion by reaching out to help people who are less fortunate than themselves.
Year Six pupils from St Joseph’s Primary School in Rossington have collected non-perishable food items and toiletries to give to people living in homeless hostels and refuges.
The 10 and 11-year-old’s wrote a letter to their parents and relatives to donate items and why the appeal is important to them.
“I enjoyed it because we were able to help others. We always see homeless people but we can never do anything about it, but this time we were able to show compassion,” said Harry about the appeal.
Young Olivia added: “I loved the whole experience because I knew we were going to help someone in need.”
The collection brought in tons of items which were then divided into individual care kits and donation boxes.
Caitlin Griffiths from St Joseph’s who co-ordinated the appeal said: “It began from a project about our community and we were thinking about people who are homeless and sleeping rough, and how difficult their lives can be. So our class mission was to create care kits and donation boxes containing food, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body lotion, hand cream, hand warmers, gloves and socks to give to a homeless shelter. The support we received from parents and relatives of the children along with community donations has been amazing.”
The items were made in to packs and were given to charitable housing association Riverside who distributed the donations across its supported housing services in Doncaster – Wharf House, Garnham House, Open House Plus, Victoria House and Riverside’s outreach service who help people sleeping rough on the streets.
Riverside’s Area Manager, Colin West, visited the school and thanked the children for their generosity. He added: “We are hugely grateful for the children’s kind and generous donations, which is especially heart-warming to know that they are thinking about those less fortunate than themselves this Christmas. Our customers will be overjoyed.”