Pupils offer shoeboxes of goodies – with love
BIG-HEARTED pupils at Sandymoor School in Runcorn have given homeless and hardpressed Halton residents a boost after collecting and distributing a huge haul of goodies in a goodwill volunteering project.
The students ended up donating more than 130 shoeboxes via Creative Support hostel in Halton Lodge and Runcorn And District Foodbank, smashing their initial target of 70 boxes.
Their work on the project included regularly staying behind at school for two hours or more.
Students had chosen the Shoebox Full Of Love project as part of their Duke Of Edinburgh Award volunteering requirement.
More than 70 shoeboxes were given to Creative Support which can accommodate up to 66 residents and the rest went to the foodbank.
The pupils and school staff received a round of applause when they handed over the boxes in person at the hostel.
Students said the initiative had given them another perspective on the issues of homelessness and hardship, with some saying they did not realise some residents could not afford basic goods or that not having an address stops them being able to claim benefits and leading to a vicious circle.
Debbie Kinsella, Sandymoor School assistant principal, said the group had been ‘amazing’.
She said: “From me personally leading this with our students, I felt really overwhelmed with the amount of love and commitment displayed from a variety of our students.
“I know it was a real eye opener for our young people to hear stories from Colin Keiley and Lydia O’Hara about how and why some people end up requiring support, whether that be from the foodbank or from Creative Support to get homeless people off the streets.
“Our students did not really understand much about the new benefit system of universal credit but both Colin and Lydia explained how this has placed increased stress and strain on people financially, leading to many people in our local community requiring support from foodbanks to feed their families.
“I am pleased we have broken down some barriers around the causes and perceptions of homelessness through running this appeal and we look forward to doing it again next year.” ●