Doncaster pupils hold appeal for homeless people

Year six pupils from St Joseph’s Primary School in Rossington collected non-perishable food items and toiletries to give to people living in homeless hostels and refuges.

The 10 and 11-year-olds 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 young Harry about the appeal.

The collection brought 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.

“Our class mission was to create care kits and donation boxes containing food, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body lotion, hand cream, hand warmers, gloves and socks. 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.

Area manager, Colin West, said: “We are hugely grateful for the children’s kind and generous donations. “It is especially heart-warming to know they are thinking about those less fortunate.”