Poverty Challenge
5th Jan 2012

The Autumn terms UAK Community Challenge, focusing on poverty, resulted in dozens of Christmas hampers being donated to local young people facing their first Christmas alone, after leaving care.

Nearly 80 hampers, many of which had been carefully gift wrapped, were presented to Janice Heathcote, of Barnardo’s, who said she was “flabbergasted” by the amount being donated. The packages assembled by students included food, toys, books, clothes and other goodies.  Janice added, “This will really make a lot of young people’s Christmases.  It can be very difficult for a 16 year old leaving authority care for the first time if they’re on their own.  They’re still a child at that age and at this time of year it’s hard for them to manage and budget”

The project was led by year 11 students who, through their citizenship lessons, researched and produced powerful presentations which they delivered to the rest of the Academy.  This provided the inspiration for other students to start working in their tutor groups on fact files about child poverty in the UK and organise for donations towards the hampers and Christmas gifts for local children.

We are so impressed with the amount of food and gifts donated by students and wish to extend our thanks to everyone who supported this fantastic cause and helped to make a difference to the lives of young people in Keighley.