Helping those in need this Christmas

Students from Tameside College have been collecting clothing and other essential items to help the homeless over the festive period.

Teaching assistant and childcare students have been collecting jumpers, outdoor clothing, sleeping bags, work wear, sanitary items and more.

They donated the items to Barnabus Manchester, a charity which helps to clothe, feed and provide support to those in need in the local area.

The students set up Facebook appeals for donations of clothing items and also collected vouchers to purchase toiletries.

Nicola Demetriadis, teaching assistant student at Tameside College, said: “We’ve collected a huge haul of clothes and other things to help those in need. Everyone has got stuck in to help out and the giving spirit of people is something to celebrate. I’m really pleased to be involved, helping people that are really struggling and it’s something to proudly add to my CV.”

Hayley Barclay, teaching assistant teacher at Tameside College, said: “This is the second year that we have supported a Manchester Charity’s plea for pre loved items. We have collected a huge array of items and even interview clothing to improve job prospects. We managed to collect so much that it filled up the Barnabus collection van. I feel incredibly proud of the teamwork of our students, it’s very humbling to watch students develop holistically and part of that personal growth is supporting people less fortunate which increases empathy and tolerance.”