Woodford Green pupils dress up in pyjamas to take action on homelessness
Children at St Antony's Catholic Primary School in Woodford Green dressing in their nightclothes to raise awareness and money for the Salvation Army's homeless night shelter. - Credit: Archant
Pupils at a primary school spent a day in their pyjamas to raise money and awareness to combat rough sleeping.
Schoolchildren from St Anthony’s Catholic Primary School, in Mornington Road, Woodford Green, came up with the idea themselves after visiting the Salvation Army’s homeless shelter in Ilford.
“The pupils wanted to do something themselves to raise awareness of homelessness,” headteacher Chris Curtis told the Recorder.
“They went and visited the night shelter at the Salvation Army a couple of weeks ago and met some people who were volunteers there.”
When the schoolchildren came back they were determined to do something to tackle the problem.
Miss Curtis continued: “The school council began to talk about what they could do.”
The pupils decided a way of getting every member of St Anthony’s involved was having a pyjama day, which symbolises how people have to sleep rough.
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The school’s entire population attended in their nightwear on Monday, and the school council also encouraged pupils to bring in donations to the Salvation Army, such as food and soap.
“They were given a list of things from the night shelter which were needed,” Miss Curtis explained.
“We hope they will now start to view those who sleep on the streets differently,” she said.
“It was a really great exercise.”
The headteacher said she was very proud of her pupils as they were the driving force behind the day.
“The school council are now writing a letter to the leader of Redbridge Council asking for more affordable homes,” she added.
The pupils raised more than £450 and donated two boxes of warm clothes and toiletries to the night shelter.
