The Sentinel

MADISON HELPS THE HOMELESS!

Schoolgirl collects 40 bags of goodies

- Dave Knapper david.knapper@reachplc.com

CARING schoolgirl Madison Hallelliot­t has donated 40 bags of goodies to homeless people in the city after collecting food, clothing and treats.

And the nine-year-old is also planning to spend Christmas Eve touring the streets of the Potteries to hand out hot drinks to rough sleepers.

The Sneyd Green youngster was inspired to help out after witnessing the plight of the homeless in London following a trip to the capital.

On returning to North Staffordsh­ire, Madison decided to start collecting clothing to keep the homeless warm during the winter months.

At the weekend, she visited Fenton’s Temple Street Methodist Church with mum Nicola Hall to dish out bags containing hats, gloves, socks, crisps, water, toothbrush­es, deodorant, tissues, mints, chocolate bars and biscuits.

In addition, the Sneyd Academy pupil handed donations over at Saltbox and Hanley’s All Saints Church.

She said: “When we went to London we kept seeing homeless people outside shops, and so we bought them some meal deals and I thought that we should do something when we came home.

“They just looked so upset and hungry and they don’t have the things that we have, and so I just wanted to do something to help.”

Mum Nicola, aged 38, put out an appeal on Facebook for donations to help Madison’s mission.

She said: “I bought about five pairs of gloves and I thought I’d put it on Facebook, and we had a big response.”

Nicola, a teaching assistant at Sneyd, was also supported by friends, family and colleagues at the school.

She said: “People were keen to help out when they found out what Madison wanted to do.

“My living room has just been full of things, and straight after school Madison has just sat and sorted things into bags all by herself.

“She has a heart of gold and I’m so proud of her.”

But Madison says her collection won’t be a one-off.

She said: “I am going out with my dad on Christmas Eve to take hot food and drinks to homeless people in Stoke-on-trent. I want to do two collection­s next year.” Ruth Selwood, a personal welfare assistant at the Sneyd Street school, said: “This is the time of year when children are doing their Christmas lists and thinking what they want, but this is what Madison has been focused on. I think it’s lovely what she’s done.”

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 ?? Picture: Steve Bould ?? HEART OF GOLD: Madison Hall-elliott with some of the items she has collected for homeless people over the festive period.
Picture: Steve Bould HEART OF GOLD: Madison Hall-elliott with some of the items she has collected for homeless people over the festive period.
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