Students surprise Local Charity for Young People
Posted on Saturday 19 December 2009
College students slept out to raise £2,700 for Step by Step
College students help homeless young people this Christmas
Cash boost to local homeless charity
Students at Farnborough Sixth Form have surprised and delighted a local charity helping homeless young people by a fantastic donation of over £2,700.
The money was raised by 40 students and their tutors, sleeping ‘rough’ for a night to publicise the plight of the many young people locally who are homeless, especially at this time of year.
The ‘sleep-out’ was in aid of local charity, Step by Step, who take almost 350 referrals a year from young people aged between 16 – 25 years who are homeless.
Student Charities Officer at the College, Matt Davenport, said, “As students, we were keen to do something to help people of our own age who don’t have the benefit of a stable home life – or even a home.”
Student President, Jack Nixon, added, “We chose to sleep rough on the College campus one night in November when it poured with rain – none of us had realised the impact of what it really felt like until we did it.”
Students, staff and friends sponsored the sleep-out, and the collections far exceeded the promised sponsorship money.
College Principal Dr John Guy thanked all concerned and said, “We encourage a College atmosphere of mutual respect and support, and our Student Association have not only worked hard for charities this term but have undertaken actions to show their commitment.”
Delighted Step by Step fundraiser Peter Davies said, ‘We are very excited by the innovative and committed way in which this money has been raised by the students and staff of Farnborough Sixth Form College. The donation will make a huge difference to our vulnerable clients, especially at this time of year.”
