PUPILS at a York secondary school have launched their Christmas appeal to help the city’s homeless this festive season.

This Christmas, pupils and staff at Millthorpe School, in South Bank, hope to make a difference to the homeless people living in York by gathering warm clothing and tinned food for a well-known homelessness charity. Teacher Gareth Davies said the school organised a similar collection last year and collected more than 800 tins of food and items of clothing – as well as raising £220 – making a massive difference to the wellbeing of those living in extreme poverty during the cold winter months.

Mr Davies said: “This year we have been in touch with the York Arc Light Project (york-arclight.co.uk) and they have advised us that tinned food such as beans, tuna, vegetables, or soups, toiletries such as toothpaste, shower gel, or shampoo are all appreciated.

“And in response, the pupils are bringing in any spare tinned food or toiletries that you have at home.” Any items are brought into school and given to form tutors during registration. Mr Davies said: “Pupils will then take them to be added to the large storage containers in the school entrance hall. At the end of term, these will taken to the homeless shelter in time for Christmas.”

He said that if anyone wanted to make a financial contribution instead, cheques should be made payable to Millthorpe School and handed in to the school. The money would then be presented to the Arc Light Charity.

There are more than 1,000 students at Millthorpe School and the hope is that the collection will make positive impact on the lives of people in real need. Mr Davies said: “I look forward to receiving any donations – no matter how small – over the next month.”