Little people have the biggest hearts. And this was proved beyond doubt when, on a busy December day at the Rainbow Centre, a surprise delivery arrived. No. Not Father Christmas.
It was Kent Police PCSO’s Samantha Maxwell and PCSO Georgia Sutcliffe, with PCSO Janet Rumley, bearing gifts for our Winter Shelter residents. They brought with them nineteen bags of essential items, put together by students in the Kent Police Mini Cadets program at Hawkinge Primary School.
As part of the Police Mini Cadets program at their school, the children participated in a social action project.
PCSO Maxwell told us, “A little girl suggested doing something to help the homeless. Donating to a local charity like the Rainbow Centre seemed obvious. One child filled a whole bag out of his own pocket money.”
The bags were filled with essentials: warm outer clothing like hats and gloves, sustaining snacks and food items. A kind donor had even knitted nine beautiful blankets. The Police Mini Cadets had thoughtfully included handmade Christmas cards too, which really warmed the hearts of everyone at the Centre.
A huge thank you to the parents and carers at Hawkinge Primary School, and to the staff at Folkestone Police Station who also collected items to donate.
“We are delighted to accept these thoughtful gifts from the Police Mini Cadets at Hawkinge Primary School. They will bring a smile and some much-needed warmth to our Winter Shelter guests. The ongoing support of our community makes everything we do here at the Rainbow Centre worthwhile,” said Mary Stredwick, Rainbow Centre CEO.:
Now in its fifteenth year, the Rainbow Centre’s Winter Shelter is a partnership project with local churches managed by the Homeless Support Service. The team operates throughout the year, working toward its goal of getting people off the streets and finding long-term solutions to end homelessness.
Would you like to get involved with the work of the Rainbow Centre?
Find out how by visiting our ‘How to Volunteer’ page. Or see ‘Ways to Donate’ to the Rainbow Centre.
December 2024