A charity providing help for homeless people in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk has received some Christmas cheers thanks to a kind-hearted donation from Littleport and East Cambs Academy.

Staff at the Academy visited The Purfleet Trust to drop off a number of boxes which contained essential items including groceries and toiletries.

The boxes had been filled with items bought from the proceeds of a non-uniform day held at the Academy, which is part of The Active Learning Trust.

Krystal Sturman, Young People’s Worker at the Academy, came up with the idea of donating to The Purfleet Trust as one of her friend’s parents works for the charity and knows just how vital the support is to homeless people.

Krystal said: “We would like to thank everyone involved with the school who donated for our non-uniform day as the total of £882 was a superb amount for us to use to make this offering to The Purfleet Trust.

“Christmas is a time for giving and we wanted to do our bit to help bring some festive cheer to those homeless people who rely on The Purfleet Trust, particularly at this time of year with the longer, colder nights.

“At the school we encourage and support our students to positively contribute to the modern world so learning about the amazing work charities and community organisations in our area do day in, day out is an important aspect to this.”

Two students, Theo Hatton-Winters and Noah Swain, who helped to pack up the boxes visited the charity to drop off the gifts. They were also able to hand over dog food donated by local company Jurassic Bark for the pets of the homeless people to have.

The Purfleet Trust, based at Austin Fields, King’s Lynn, was set up as a charity to provide help for single homeless people in King’s Lynn and West Norfolk who were not eligible for help from the Council. Its services include housing advice to help people find accommodation, support to help them maintain their tenancies, a rent deposit scheme and a day centre providing a daily hot meal and the opportunity to gain some essential life skills.

Paula Hall, CEO of The Purfleet Trust, said: “We are really privileged to be based in such a supportive local area and we are very grateful for this donation from Littleport and East Cambs Academy.

“This has been a very challenging year for everyone, not least the homeless people we support, and I am sure they will appreciate having something to open on Christmas and make their day a little brighter.”

Press release from The Active Learning Trust

Photographs copyright to the Active Learning Trust