Bradford Scouts Support Homeless Young People In Need This Christmas

Generous children from Bradford North District scouts have been filling bags and shoe boxes with both practical supplies of toiletries and gloves and Christmas gifts.

The group aged from 6 to 18 wanted to support young people at Christmas and making shoe box donations was a great chance to still to do some scouting, using their promise to ‘Help Other People’ and earn badges by taking part.

Over 140 boxes and gift bags we’re dropped off at Centrepoint services in Bradford and Keighley to be distributed to those most in need this winter.

The charity support 150 homeless young people in Bradford every day. Working with the local authority and partners, we make sure they get the right opportunities. This means health support, help with their education, and advice to help them find a job.

Young scout Oliver Smalley (pictured bottom right) said:
“I wanted to take part because I think that everyone should get a Christmas present and I know this might be the only thing someone might get”

Ethan Tuitakau (pictured top left 2nd in) said:
I have chosen to help with the shoebox appeal because I want people to know they are loved and not alone.”

Centrepoint Engagement officer and Scout assistant district commissioner, Sarah Falkner said:
“I wanted to get the scouts involved in a good turn to help get them scouting in these difficult times while we couldn’t meet face to face, and I am amazed at how thoughtful and generous they have been. As my role as ADC Cubs for Bradford North and working at Centrepoint it has been a privilege to be a part of something so good.

"This is especially important as our latest research shows that over 2,000 young people in Yorkshire are facing homelessness at Christmas."

Centrepoint new databank research has revealed that over 5,185 young people in Yorkshire and the Humber approached their council because they were homeless or at risk of homelessness last year.