[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]St Margaret Clitherow Primary School made a fantastic effort to fundraise and get their students thinking about homelessness.

The children took part in a special assembly explaining what homelessness can be like.

Then each student made a cardboard house and used it as a money box. They collected change from their parents and friends and also took part in a pyjama day at school. Some Year 6 students wrote poetry about homelessness.

Last week, the houses were collected together into a ‘town’ in the school hall. The children saw their hard work come together and raised a fantastic total of £467.65. They are also holding a Christmas Jumper Day on Monday, and proceeds from this will be added to the total.

What was most wonderful was the enthusiasm the kids had, not only for fundraising, but towards thinking about such a difficult issue:

“I loved making the house with my family because when we were working on it, it felt like we were coming together to help someone without a home. Also, it made us all realise how lucky and grateful we are to have somewhere warm and safe to live.”

Maja-Wiktoria (age 10)

“The houses were a really good way to help the homeless. I made mine with my little brother, Reous, who is in Year 1. We were really proud when we collected our money because we did jobs around the house. It is important that we try and help homeless people because if we were in that position we wouldn’t like it.”

Ria’hanna (age 10)

“Me and my sister Ria’hanna made our house and I liked it! I did the dishes and cleaned the cupboards for money to give to the homeless.”

Reous (age 6)

“I made my house with a cardboard box, hot glue and paint. I used plastic for the windows. My mum helped me a lot because I’m not allowed to use hot glue! My family thinks it’s important to help homeless people because the homeless people are poor and God says you should help everyone, which I agree with.”

Michal (age 8)

Teacher Joanne Wade commented: “The children loved making the houses and many took this on as whole family project! It really helped to engage the children and got them to think, and talk openly, about this hugely important issue.”

Church Housing Trust’s resources for schools and youth groups will be available on the website soon.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”80px”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_gallery interval=”3″ images=”6467,6466,6465,6463,6462″ img_size=”medium” el_class=”rotate narrow negative-top”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][/vc_column][/vc_row]