Charitable pupils and staff at Tong Leadership Academy have been looking out for the homeless this Christmas by collecting donations of warm clothing and toiletries.

Our Academy’s festive appeal supports DISC, a social inclusion charity which supports homeless young people in Bradford, across the North West and North East.

Tong pupils, their families and Academy staff have made donations of shoe box gifts to be distributed by DISC to local homeless people over the festive period. The shoe boxes include gifts of warm clothing – such as hats, gloves and socks – as well as toiletries and sweet treats.

The appeal is part of our Festive Winter Gift Programme, an annual initiative that encourages our school community to show support and think of others at Christmastime.

Stephen Curran, our Principal, said,

“The festive season is one of those times in our school calendar when we step up our efforts to offer a helping hand to those in need. As a school community we are keen to ensure that people who are less fortunate than us receive gifts this Christmas, and together we chose to support young homeless people.

 

“It has been very heartening to see our pupils coming together to organise the collection of donations. Thank you to them and to their families for supporting our appeal.”

Our donations will be given to DISC clients accessing services at Bradford No Second Night Out, which aims to reduce homelessness among young people in the city.

Tong pupils and staff visited DISC’s offices in Bradford to deliver a vehicle-load of shoe box gifts.

Year 8 pupil Olivia helped with the delivery. She said,

“It’s sad to see how many people live on the street. Collecting donations for DISC has made me think about other people and not just myself.”

Jabbar Asal, DISC Project Manager, commented,

“A massive thank you to the staff, children and all the kind people who donated these gifts for the homeless clients at Bradford No Second Night Out. These gifts will have a major impact on those currently experiencing homelessness and the clients who are accessing Bradford No Second Night Out. This is a very kind gesture.”

Through the Festive Winter Gift Programme, all schools run by Star Academies aim to offer support to the most vulnerable people – young and old – in their communities, those who are unwell, elderly, living in care, those who experience loneliness or food poverty. The Trust’s aim is to ensure that no one in the communities around its schools goes without a card or a gift at the time of year when our country is celebrating a national holiday.