Ballynahinch students raise thousands during sleep-out for charity

Ballynahinch students raise thousands during sleep-out for charity

8 March 2023

BIG-HEARTED students at St Colman’s High and Sixth Form College in Ballynahinch have raised almost £4,000 for a charity which helps homeless people in Belfast.

Members of the school’s Social Justice Team pushed themselves to the limit by spending a cold winter night sleeping in the school grounds.

Their aim was to raise £750 for Compassion Belfast, a charity which tries to provide support and comfort to those unfortunate people who are forced to live on the streets.

However, thanks to generous donations from family members, friends and the wider community the team quickly passed their initial target and are now well on their way to raising  £4,000.

To meet and perhaps exceed their new target, they are asking Recorder readers for their support by making a donation, however small.

The social justice team is made up of Sixth Form students, who learned that a parent of one pupil at the school is a Compassion Belfast volunteer.

With the help of two teachers, Mrs Paula Clarke and Mrs Danielle Kearney, who acted as project co-ordinators, they looked at ways of how the school community could support the charity. 

In December 2022, Compassion Belfast volunteers Jim McGardle and Michelle Stewart-Fall attended a school assembly and provided an informative insight into how staff and volunteers engage with the homeless on the streets of Belfast.

They also shared their personal experiences and told the students what they could expect during their sleep-out.

On January 20 the students, supported by staff, swapped the comfort of their beds for the cold concrete in the school grounds.

This experience provided pupils with the reality of what it is like to sleep rough for one night, and not have a bed to sleep in or a roof over their heads. 

Compassion Belfast volunteers visited the school in the early hours of the morning to provide a hot drink, something warm to eat and a much-needed morale booster.

There was a real feeling of cameraderie among everyone who took part.

Year 14 student Molly Mullan said: “The sleep-out, I found, was a new experience that opened my eyes. The team mentioned that when you’re on the floor, so is your mind. This was a thought I kept with me throughout the whole experience.

“For the first time I was experiencing what so many people do daily. My eyes have been opened to a world that I didn’t fully understand. Now, however, I have more knowledge and truly feel empathetic for those who yearn for that reassurance of sleeping in a bed.”

Aimee Dawes-Carruthers, another Year 14 student, said: “I found the experience very eye-opening and although it was cold, it’s an experience I’ll never forget!.

“Now I have a newfound respect for the less fortunate. I am very impressed at the support we gathered and the money we raised for such a great cause.”

A spokesperson for St Colman’s said: “The school community are extremely proud of the student volunteers who participated in this selfless charitable event and are overwhelmed by the donations, which quickly soared beyond the original target of £750. 

“It is an incredible achievement that St Colman’s High and Sixth Form College Ballynahinch Social Justice Team have almost exceeded their new target of £4,000 and would like to thank family, friends, and the wider community for their generous donations.”

The spokesperson continued: “Compassion Belfast offer many services, but the school community were keen to support the compassion walks, an outreach providing practical help to rough sleepers and the homeless community.

“On their weekly Saturday morning walks, selfless volunteers hand out packs which include necessities such as toiletries, a pair of gloves, a hat, a dry sleeping bag and many other essentials which can help a homeless person make it through the night. The packs cost around £15, and this is what pupils decided would be the focus for fundraising.”

If you would like to support the St Colman’s Social Justice team and help Compassion Belfast continue to do the vital work they are doing in supporting the homeless, please scan the QR code in this feature to access the Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/cathal-rice?utm_id=2&utm_term=W4gB8kB5E.