Pupils raise funds to buy beds for children without them in Wolverhampton

Pupils from an independent school near Wolverhampton have raised enough money to buy ten beds, mattresses and bedding to help other children without them in the city.

Months of fundraising by children from reception age to Year 9 at Birchfield School in Albrighton has raised £2275, enough to buy ten beds, mattresses and bedding sets.

Pupils and students took part in all kinds of fundraising activities from a penalty shoot-out with Wolves mascot Wolfie to running cake stalls, raffles, and tuck shops to sponsored cross country runs and swims, all to help children in Wolverhampton who don’t have a bed to sleep in at night.

All proceeds went to the Good Night Project, a community-led partnership, which the City of Wolverhampton Council launched with African Caribbean Community Initiative (ACCI) and the Wolves Foundation in March last year.

It aims to tackle bed poverty and ensure everyone in Wolverhampton has a good night’s sleep in a suitable bed.

The term “bed poverty” is used to describe a situation where a person does not have access to a bed and where a household does not have enough income to afford necessary items.

Birchfield Headmistress, Mrs Amy Jones said:

‘I want to thank our families and pupils for their incredible support in our fundraising efforts.

‘Fostering empathy and teaching our children and young people about the positive impact they can have on their community is a vital part of their education. Our entire school community has united for this special project, and I am immensely proud of our pupils.’

Leader of City of Wolverhampton Council, Councillor Stephen Simkins said:

‘I commend these young people for thinking of others in the city and for the hard work they’ve done over many months to help other children have a bed of their own.

‘Getting a good night’s sleep is essential to health and wellbeing and to get the most out of education and forge a successful path in life. Please donate to the Good Night Project if you’re able, they’re inundated with requests for help and if you’ve got a bed you no longer need it could really transform someone else’s life.’

Alicia Spence, of ACCI, which runs the Good Night Project day to day, said they have already had great feedback from families who have received the beds.

‘It is absolutely fantastic that the school and children has shown such initiative and demonstrated compassion, kindness and humanity by raising funds to buy beds for families and children in need.

‘The first of the beds were delivered yesterday and parents have reported their children had the best night’s sleep ever, which is just brilliant.

‘The simple provision of a comfortable bed will give children a good night's sleep, building positive routines and a real sense of well-being.’

If you want to help the Good Night Project by donating a bed you no longer need then find out more here The Good Night Project | City Of Wolverhampton Council.

The project cannot accept used mattresses or bedding, but it can accept cash donations to it’s Just Giving page https://www.justgiving.com/page/acci-charity-1679052794777

Just £4 will enable the Good Night Project to buy a pillow or fitted sheet to help a child or parent sleep comfortably.