Warmhearted students at one Donegal school have made blankets for the homeless, out of old crisp bags!
The TY students at The Royal & Prior Comprehensive School in Raphoe made them for the ‘Theatre Homeless’ project in Dublin.
Despite the difficulties associated with covid restrictions, this band of students decided that they would have to work all the harder, and working hard is exactly what they did!!
The idea was conceived in a GCE class,(Global citizenship Education) whereby the students were looking at positive actions to reduce waste. In particular the students were researching marine pollution through disposed plastics.
They had conducted surveys in their school concerning the use of recycling bins. This fresh proposal was considered when one of the SNAs in the Raphoe school shared a link with the TY Coordinator showing that crisps bags (which are not currently recyclable) could double up to become insulation blankets for the homeless.
This innovative idea was quickly adopted by the entire group who went straight to task. Students made plans to collect crisp bags at every opportunity both during the school day and after, as well as via an online Facebook appeal.
One of the students with the innovative ‘crisp blanket.’
“With great tenacity these students persevered,” said their TY Co-ordinator, Ms Kathy-Ann Gibson.
“They continued to collect crisp bags from family and friends and through online tools. They came together with their irons in hand to seal the crisp bags together to form a 24 square foot blanket. It was a slow and artful process which required skill and patience. The blankets have insulation and waterproofing qualities which are ideal for the homeless.”
The students wrote special messages and words of encouragement on the underside of the blankets, bringing cheer to the homeless
The blankets will go to a very worthwhile cause- Theatre Homeless, Dublin.
A spokesperson for Theatre Homeless said;
“We look after many homeless people who live in rough conditions in doorways and on footpaths and these blankets will be very much appreciated.”
The spokesperson added that he knows a homeless man in his 60’s who has one of these blankets and swears by it.
The charity will hand out the blankets to the homeless and will take photographs of the people who receive them and send the photos to the students so they can see the difference their blankets will make.
“What a wonderful way for Transition Year students to double up efforts- promoting positive environmental actions and showing charitable concern for those in our society who struggle. We hope the blankets bring heat during the cold winter nights and warmth to the heart’s of those who receive them,” concluded Ms Gibson.
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