Pupils help vulnerable and homeless in Birmingham with festive charity drive
Caring pupils at Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham have been supporting vulnerable members of their community with a festive charity drive.
Pupils and staff have been busy collecting donations and raising funds as part of their annual Festive Winter Gift Programme, which offers support to people in need over the festive period.
Despite Covid-19 restrictions, pupils still found a way to bring joy to those facing hardship by collecting chocolate boxes, treats, warm clothing and baskets to create gift hampers.
Working with a number of local charities, selected by the pupils, they gifted hampers to vulnerable people across Birmingham, as well as to patients at Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
As part of their campaign, the school also joined with other Star Academies schools to take part in ‘Food for All Week’. From 7th to 13th December, all 29 schools across the Star Academies multi-academy trust aimed to distribute 50,000 food parcels and meals to those experiencing food poverty.
Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham contributed by supporting local charities to distribute 2,000 meals to those in need in their community during Food for All week. The school supported charitable organisations including Birmingham Settlement, Vanguard Housing Association, Birmingham Crisis Centre and Perry Barr Residents Association.
The school’s weekly foodbank service – established at the height of the pandemic earlier this year – continued to run over the festive period, providing much-needed support to families in the community.
Kind-hearted pupils also held collections for brand new duvets and pillows to donate to local homelessness charity, St Basils. The charity works with young people aged 16-25 and helps over 5,000 young people each year across the West Midlands. The school’s donations will help to provide countless homeless and young people with some comfort this winter.
Spreading festive cheer and offering emotional support was just as important to pupils who also made video messages of hope to show kindness to those struggling during the winter months.
Asiyah Ravat, Principal at Eden Boys’ School, Birmingham, said that, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s Festive Winter Gift campaign held even greater importance.
She said: “Our Festive Winter Gift Programme is an opportunity for people to come together and make a difference to the lives of others.
“This year, many people faced additional challenges due to the pandemic and I am incredibly proud of our caring pupils, parents and staff who have gone the extra mile to help relieve the suffering in our community.
“Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this year’s campaign with such generosity and goodwill.”
Added By: Star Academies | Date Added: 21st Dec 2020 | Posted In: Latest News