Warm-hearted students, staff and families from across all Arthur Terry Learning Partnership (ATLP) schools have been digging deep to raise more than £1100 in support of Birmingham-based housing charity, the Geoff Horsfield Foundation.
A total of 10 schools across Birmingham, North Warwickshire and Staffordshire, also received an ‘unprecedented’ number of donations of warm clothing and bedding from their communities. They will pass the items and funds on to former Birmingham City Football Club legend, Geoff Horsfield, whose foundation provides quality, safe and secure housing accommodation and other services for vulnerable adults who have fallen through the current support network.
Geoff, one of the most respected sportsmen in the West Midlands, founded the charity as a ‘debt of gratitude’ to the local community.
He said: “We’re really touched by the amount of donations schools have generously given. The community spirit is alive in our schools and it’s heartening to see such a mass of support for others. I must give huge thanks for their combined efforts – this will really make a difference.
“Our foundation’s aim is to provide vulnerable adults and to make a sustainable impact on homelessness, vulnerability and its echo effect on the local community. Winter is a hard time and if we can provide safe, warm and secure homes for people who are at risk of falling through the system, then it’s a start to tackling this growing issue.”
ATLP’s Brookvale, Curdworth, Hill West, Mere Green, Scotch Orchard, William MacGreggor, Two Gates, Slade, Arthur Terry and Coleshill schools all took part in the fundraising initiative.
Lisa Dodd, headteacher of Curdworth Primary School, said: “We’re absolutely blown away by our community and their big hearts. They have all dug deep to support his worthy cause and we’re so grateful for their warmth and generosity.
“This is an issue that affects us all. We’re raising our young people to be responsible and caring citizens, to look out for one another and to work together to support those in need. The work that Geoff and his volunteers are doing is life-changing and this is the least we can all do to play our part in this worthwhile initiative.”
