Pupils at Lawn Manor Academy have been inspired to make a real difference for people experiencing homelessness in Swindon, donating a substantial collection of food and essential items to local charity Threshold.
Ahead of Threshold’s Sleep Out 26 on 20 February, which is being hosted at the academy, pupils from all year groups took part in a house challenge to fill a trolley with food and toiletries.
The three houses, Fitzroy, Pleydell and Goddard, went head-to-head to see who could collect the most, with all three rising to the challenge and delivering overflowing trolleys of much-needed essentials.
The initiative forms part of the school’s wider learning about homelessness ahead of hosting Sleep Out 26.
In recent weeks, pupils have been learning about the realities faced by people experiencing homelessness in Swindon, and the vital support organisations like Threshold provide to help individuals rebuild their lives.
Moved by what they had learned, pupils were keen to take practical action, donating everyday essentials that will directly support people currently receiving help from the charity.
Rachel Harris, Fundraising and Communications Manager at Threshold, said, “It is fantastic to see how the pupils have pulled out all the stops to make a difference, we are astonished and extremely grateful for the abundance of items they have donated.
“Providing basic essentials like food and toiletries takes a huge amount of pressure off people who have been homeless, so that they can focus their strength on recovering and working on the complex issues that so many of them face.
“After years of feeling rejected by society, their belief in community can be rekindled by the eagerness of these young people to help. Thank you so much to the house teams, your kindness is absolutely heartwarming.”
Russell Langdown, Head of School at Lawn Manor Academy, added, “We are incredibly proud of our pupils for the compassion and generosity they have shown, with three trolleys overflowing with food and toiletries.
“Through their learning, our pupils have developed a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness locally, and they were motivated to make a tangible difference. The response from Pleydell, Goddard and Fitzroy has been fantastic, and we are grateful to our school community for coming together to support Threshold and the vital work they do.”
The donated items will now be distributed by Threshold to people currently receiving support as they move away from homelessness.
Sleep Out 26 is open to anyone aged 11 and above.
Registration costs £7.50 for children and £15 for adults, with participants encouraged to raise sponsorship to boost their impact.
Places for People has also awarded Threshold a £1,000 grant to support the event, with Village Hotel Swindon, Gel Studios and Rapid Relief Team UK donating refreshments.
This means all proceeds raised will go directly towards helping people in Swindon find a safe place to live and regain their independence.
Lawn Manor Academy is part of the Ascend Learning Trust.
