Donations to vulnerable show ‘the true spirit of Christmas’
From turkeys to a warm pair of socks, Maidstone residents have been giving what they can to those less fortunate this Christmas.
For the past five weeks, the KM has been asking for donations of food, clothing and other essentials to our You Can Help campaign, in association with Homeless Care.
The charity provides support to rough sleepers and vulnerable families and individuals across the borough through its day centre in Knightrider Street.
Collections have been set up at supermarkets, businesses and schools, and we’ve had a fantastic response.
With a little help from the sixth form, pupils at Oakwood Park Grammar School has donated 1,200 items of food, toiletries and equipment, while at Future Schools Trust students from Cornwallis Academy collected more than 520 items.
Little Learners Nursery put together four hampers of gifts for families and Tiger Primary School also ran a collection. Even clothing was thought of. At Brookfield Infants School in Swallow Road, youngsters donated a mountain of socks carefully wrapped up and with festive messages, while students at Invicta Grammar School collected more than 400 items.
Other to help were St Simon Stock Catholic School pupils who ran a reverse advent calendar, collecting food and toiletries which have also been donated to the appeal, while students at the Malling School have been busy making up jars of brownie mix with all proceeds going towards Homeless Care.
Clients at Maidstone Day Centre won’t be without out turkey either, thanks to Woolpack Corner Farm in Benenden Road, Biddenden, which handed over four prize birds to the appeal last week .
Angela Clay, secretary at Homeless Care, said it had been a wonderful response this year and both the collection vans had been in constant use.
She added: “There are so many people who care enough to take positive action to help others and I find that reassuring, particularly in our troubled world. Isn’t this the true spirit of Christmas?
“On behalf of everyone at Homeless Care I want to say an enormous thank you to everyone who has helped to make a difference to the lives of people who are going through a difficult time in their lives.”