Kentish Express Ashford & District
Sleeping-bag sit-out for homeless
Village school pupils sat in their sleeping bags in the playground to raise awareness of homelessness.
The Year 5 and Year 6 class at Bodsham Primary School decided to raise money for the homeless charity Porchlight as part of their Citizenship Foundation challenge.
Teacher James Burrows said the pupils completed workshops and stayed out in the school playground from 3.30pm to 9.30pm last Friday.
Their including playing cards and busking, while they also filled shoeboxes with essential items to help homeless people here in Kent.
Mr Burrows said the decision was taken after a vote among pupils, who also considered supporting dementia care and helping save endangered animal species.
He said: “The children decided to help homeless people, and part of our activities has been to change perceptions, and show how it can happen to anybody.
“Our children were especially affected and interested in how our ex-armed forces personnel could become homeless, so they wanted to do something to make their lives better.
“They had some thought-provoking reactions to the Porchlight presentation, and they got to experience how it must feel in that position.
“I think it’s really important for the children to learn about.
“Our s chool values are strength, love, and creativity.
“This challenge was a really great example of the children applying those values here at school and in the real world.”
The school is still collecting donations for Porchlight.
To find out more visit www. virginmoneygiving.com/team/ bodshamsitout