Warm hearts in Bridgend
LEARNING about the Aberfan disaster inspired a group of school pupils to feed the homeless during the Big Freeze.
Stunned by a documentary which showed the community coming together in the wake of the destruction of Pantglas Junior School in 1966, the 10 and 11 year olds decided to do something to help those less fortunate near their Bridgend school.
Already planning to make traditional cawl as part of their Welsh week celebrations, the Brackla Primary School pupils came up with the idea of donating it to a church soup kitchen instead of eating it themselves.
“We came up with the idea because we could be in a happy community and hope that everybody could be happy,” said Alassan Jallow , 11.
Teacher Tracey Hayter said: “I was surprised by how much they saw the positive in it (Aberfan) and how good can come out of something.
“I had also explained what Compassion Church was doing in Bridgend for the homeless and how the teachers here had gathered bedding and pillows.
“Then we were talking about the cold weather and how you need to look out for the elderly and the homeless and Alassan said, ‘Why don’t we show our sense of community?’ It happened so naturally,” added teacher Gethin Still.
Compassion Church on Nolton Street in Bridgend hosted rough sleepers overnight during the Big Freeze, providing food, bedding, clothing and company.
The pupils were expected to make up to 18 cartons of cawl, which were going to be delivered to the church.
Brackla Primary School’s headteacher Katherine John said: “We pride ourselves on having strong links with the community. We work with lots of local churches and Compassion Church is a new link for us, so it was interesting to see the children come up with that idea.”
Jack Beddow, 10, said: “I learned that even if someone doesn’t have very much, just a little thing will go a long way.”
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