Teenagers show Christmas spirit
Kind-hearted teenagers have been showing the true meaning of Christmas by making festive pamper hampers for women who’ve been the victims of domestic abuse.
Washington Youth Council havebeencollectingdonations of pamper products such as bath bombs, bubble bath and shampoos along with other care items which have been packaged into festive parcels to be delivered to women currently living at a Wearside Women in Need refuge.
The Sunderland based charity provide safe accommodation and communitybased services to women and childrenatriskof,orsuffering, abuse.
The idea came from the young people themselves following a Council meeting.
Sarah Adams, 18, who attends St Robert of Newminster Sixth Form, said: "I feel like now, more than ever because of the pandemic, womenneedsupport.It’simportant as young people to give back to the community and set an example. Wearside Women in Need is an excellent cause to give back to."
Oxclose Academy pupil Grace Herkes, 16, added: "We chose this project because domestic violence could happen toanyone.Wethoughtitwould be great to show the women in therefugesoursupport,plusit would be nice for them to have somethingniceforthemselves this Christmas."
Duetothepotentialtrauma experiencedbythewomen,the youngsters thought it was importanttheyweregiven“something to make them feel good about themselves on Christmas morning”.
Washington Academy pupil Bobby Hudson, 14, said: "We chose this charity because women who’ve escaped domestic violence will be thinking about their children
this Christmas and not about themselves. We decided to collect pamper products to help the women relax and feel good."
April Younger, 15, who attends Biddick Academy, added: "We chose this project becausewewantwomeninrefuges waking up on Christmas morningwithasmileknowing theyarenotaloneandhaveour support.
"Wehopethepamperproducts will help to make their Christmas brighter."
Youth Worker Kelly Barraclough said: “Some of the young people have parents who’ve experienced domestic violenceandtheywantedtodo something to help women in this situation.”