Plantsbrook School homeless appeal: Rough sleepers and people affected by homelessness this Christmas will get an extra helping hand thanks to the efforts of pupils from Plantsbrook School.
Students at the school, which is part of the Broadleaf Partnership Trust, have collected hundreds of items for Birmingham charity Helping Hands, a group of volunteers who regularly hit the streets of Birmingham City Centre offering clothing, warm meals, toiletries, and a friendly ear.
In a project supported by Plantsbrook’s School Council, students donated a mountain of items which will be distributed from the charity’s Erdington base over the coming weeks.
Helping Hands founder Clare Whitaker, 49, held two assemblies in school to help launch the Plantsbrook School homeless appeal.
She said: “At this time of year in particular things can be very difficult on the streets – the hostels are full and temperatures are dropping.
“We’re overwhelmed by what the children here at Plantsbrook have done – it’s so important to teach younger generations about how being kind can make such a difference.”
Plantsbrook Academic Coach Anna Tees-Nutt, 48, said: “We did lots of things to spread the word inside the school, with messages on the internal screens, newsletters, twitter posts and in assemblies too and I’ve been blown away by the response from the children.
“The students have been really passionate about it and bought some quality stuff for the collection that will make a real difference.”
Plantsbrook School homeless appeal – students speak
Student Alfie Mitchell, 12, said: “I got involved because I like helping out people and supporting charities. We’re really proud of what we’ve collected.”
Lucy Santos, 11, said: “I really want to be able to change things, and getting involved with Helping Hands, and looking at the price of meals, was a good way of doing that.”
Jack Davies, 14, said: “I brought in shower supplies – bars of soap and shampoo – because people who are homeless need toiletries too.”
Agatha Bates, 11, said: “It’s such a shame knowing that people are out on the street, with no home, and we are here, comfortable in the warm. That’s why we wanted to help.”
McKenzie Hunt, 12, said: “I brought in quite a lot of baby wipes, because they are a really useful thing when you are living on the streets. When I walked to school today it was freezing cold – imagine having to sleep outside when the weather is like this.”
Oscar Whitman, 13, said: “I brought in some toiletries because I like helping people, and this is a very good cause. This is a big school so getting Plantsbrook involved can really help.”
Zach Osborne, 15, added: “I gave a load of supplies for warmth and sanitary products. It must be very hard having nowhere to live, particularly when the temperatures are like this.”
Plantsbrook headteacher Jason Farr said: “Every year our students try to help those less fortunate at Christmas, and the talks given by Clare from Helping Hands clearly inspired them to get involved.
“We are very proud of the generosity they have shown and hope the hundreds of items we handed over this week will make a real difference.”
If you would like to find out more about Helping Hands, click here.