Children help KFRS spread Christmas cheer to the homeless

Children are helping Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) spread festive cheer, by making Christmas cards for homeless people who’ve been housed in temporary accommodation.

In recent months KFRS has been working with Kent-based homeless charity, Porchlight, to help keep the rehoused homeless safe as they adapt to living independently in mainstream society – this comes following direction from the government for charities to provide rough sleepers with shelter during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, the fire service has set out on a mission to deliver around 400 care packages to those rehomed in Kent and Medway, which will contain winter essentials such as hats and gloves, gifted by the fire service, food provided by Gravesend Gurdwara, and a handmade Christmas card from children at Bridge Nursery and East Stour Primary School, both in Ashford.

Mike Pitney, who has spearheaded the initiative at KFRS, said: “We wanted to do something this Christmas to further support the rehoused homeless across the county, and we felt the care packages with the addition of a personalised Christmas card from a child would be really nice.

“Some of the people we are supporting don’t have many or any friends or family, and therefore a message from a youngster in a handmade card, may help bring some joy and brighten where they are staying. We’ve produced a fire service Christmas card too specially to go into these care packages.

“We have already delivered around 150 packages, and they have been really well received – many of the recipients have been thrilled with the Christmas cards, saying they hadn’t received one in years.

“This is a huge team effort and we’re so pleased to have the support of numerous charities, organisations, outreach programmes and shelters, to make this happen.”