A SCHOOL trust can continue its mission to tackle bed poverty across Birmingham and Solihull thanks to a generous donation.
The Summit Base Camp, which supports vulnerable children, and families, has been handed more than £2,300 from Richardson Brothers Foundation, which supports a range of causes across the country.
The Summit Learning Trust, which has primary and secondary schools, and a college across Birmingham and Solihull, has already provided beds for children in need.
According to research from End Furniture Poverty, nearly a third (30%) of families in the UK are impacted by bed poverty – which means they don’t have a comfortable bed to sleep in.
Paul Faulkner, chief of staff for the Richardson family business, said: “It is shocking that in 2023 there are many children living across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands who do not have a bed to sleep in at night.
“This impacts their physical and mental well-being and ultimately has a detrimental effect on their ability to learn and perform to the best of their ability at school.
“The Richardson Brothers Foundation received a very compelling application from the Summit Education Trust to support their Summit Base Camp campaign that is working to tackle the issue of bed poverty and was delighted to make this contribution that will hopefully have a directly beneficial impact on the lives of local children.”
Summit Learning Trust works to ensure every child who attends their academies has their basic needs met and can provide breakfast on school mornings, a warm space and support with uniform and travel.
Vince Green, the chief executive of Summit Learning Trust said: “This amazing gesture by the Richardson Brothers Foundation is very much appreciated by our Summit family, and will support many children and young people to enable them to have a comfortable bed to sleep in. Huge thanks to the Foundation for their donation and for raising awareness around bed poverty issues.”
