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Harrogate pupils host charity toy sale to fight child bed poverty

Tuesday, 26 November 2024 14:53

Pupils from St Roberts Primary School have raised money through a toy sale.

Pupils from a Harrogate primary school have raised £283 to support a charity that is combatting child bed poverty in the district.

St Robert’s Catholic Primary School students organised a toy sale to support Essential Needs - a charity which provides free beds for children who are forced to sleep with a parent or sibling.

Proceeds from the sale, organised by St Robert’s Mini Vinnies, will help fund duvets, pillows and bedding packs to go alongside the beds.

Hannah Clarke, teacher at St Robert’s Catholic Primary School said:

“The mission of our Mini Vinnies is to see, think and do, helping tackle poverty in all forms.

“Led by our year 6 pupils, they worked hard creating posters, speaking at assemblies and getting word out so that the whole school- pupils, parents and carers alike - got involved in the toy sale.

“The turnout was outstanding and we’re extremely proud of our Mini Vinnies for stepping up to the challenge.”

A report by Barnardo’s found an estimated 894,000 children in the UK don’t have their own bed.

They either sleep with a parent or sibling or the parent sleeps on the sofa so that the child can have their bed.

Lee Wright, Manager at Essential Needs, said:

“Our mascot Ted and I were very excited to be invited along to see the toy sale in action.

“He and I would like to say a big thank you to all the pupils at St Robert’s; this current financial year we have funds set aside to provide up to 75 beds free of charge – the autumn term alone saw us distribute 11 – and the additional fundraising ensures we can continue to provide bed packs with them for longer.”

Essential Needs is located behind Leeds Road shops at Back Gladstone Street, Harrogate, HG2 8DF and contactable on 01423 870040 and essentialneeds@gmail.com

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