CNC Students Help the Homeless

During the Festive Season we can often get carried away with buying gifts for loved ones, heading to Christmas parties in the latest fashion and we all look forward to a break from College and work. Unfortunately, for many people across the UK this time of year can be quite daunting. As the nights draw in and the temperatures drop we take for granted that we can head home to the comfort of our homes, to heating, hot running water, fresh food but others will be on the streets, searching for a safe place to sleep; pulling together what little change they have for a hot drink and something to eat.

You may have seen in the news lately the fantastic fundraising campaign put together by Preston student Dominque Harrison – Bentzen. We spoke with two of our students who joined Dominque in her challenge and stayed with her for the 24 hours.

Monica Fisher and Nathan Crossey, both year 12 A Level students at Cardinal Newman College, took to the streets of Preston on Tuesday 16^th December to help raise as much money as they could for the campaign, Help Robbie, Preston’s Homeless Hero.

Nathan spoke about the challenge: ‘You don’t realise just how hard it is, we were only there for one night, but I knew I had the comfort of home to look forward to. These people don’t. I met so many homeless people through the day, and you realise they are in this situation for so many different reasons. People have preconceptions of the homeless, thinking they bring it upon themselves, but the stories I heard were heart-breaking.’

‘We just wanted to raise what we could to help Robbie, but now we can help so many others’

During the day the group of five who did the 24 hour challenge received donations from food outlets such as McDonalds, Subway and Greggs in Preston. With the donations from the generous Preston public they raised enough money whilst on the streets to put some people they met up in hotels and ensure they got a meal that day.

After little sleep Monica and Nathan were out again last night handing out hot drinks to those who needed them.

Monica spoke about how she got involved: ‘I saw what Dominque was planning to do on Facebook, and I wanted to get involved, so I spoke with Nathan and we just got in touch. I felt I needed to get involved as I like to help those who are less fortunate. It’s been a really eye opening experience; we’ve had a lot of good publicity, but there have been a few comments which have shocked me. We are there trying to make a difference; the total raised is currently at £31,500! It’s amazing, I can’t quite believe it’

‘During the evening we helped out at a local food bank at St Wilfrid’s Church in Preston, and this has made me want to continue helping at food banks and in any other way I can’.

All the staff and students of Cardinal Newman College are incredibly proud of the efforts of these students. There is still a lot to discuss about what the rest of the funds will be going towards and we look forward to an update from Monica and Nathan in the New Year.