SCHOOLCHILDREN from across the borough have helped raise more than £14,000 to support people in need.
Children from 42 schools, including across Solihull and Birmingham, gathered at St Chad’s Roman Catholic Cathedral in Birmingham to present their fantastic donations to Midland social care charity, Father Hudson’s Care.
They had raised the money throughout Lent, bake sales, non-uniform days, sponsored events, or by simply filling a collection box.
One school alone raised £1,400 in aid of the charity.
They presented their gifts at the Cathedral in two celebratory Good Shepherd Masses celebrated by Bishop David McGough.
The day was filled with colour, worship and song as school pupils filled St Chad’s.
Holy Souls School in Acocks Green led the music in the morning, with Solihull’s St Peter’s Senior School also involved, and five Solihull primaries (Our Lady of the Wayside, Our Lady of Compassion, St George and St Teresa’s, St Andrew’s and St Augustine’s) in charge for the afternoon.
Others took part in a procession during which they handed their donations to Bishop David.
Bishop David said: “Wherever you live, very close to you there are people struggling with ill health.
“Perhaps they can’t get out of the house. Perhaps their partner has died and their children, if they have them, live far away.
“There are families where mum or dad are unable to work, through no fault of their own.
“They might wonder where their next meal is coming from, or who will pay for the next school uniform.
“And there are people who came here from far away, who suffered unimaginable pain as their homes were ripped apart.
“They feel alone and forgotten. Who will care for them?
“I can say today that the children are caring for them. Father Hudson’s cares for all these people around the Archdiocese of Birmingham, and the children through their school collections raise the funds that enable Father Hudson’s to care.”
Father Hudson’s Care works across Birmingham and the West Midlands, transforming the lives of people at their time of need. Together with community partners, it supports homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers, isolated older people, vulnerable children and young people, disabled people and others who are isolated or disadvantaged.
For more visit www.fatherhudsons.org.uk
