Six-year-old fed 22 homeless people out of her own pocket
BY RUTH HALLOWS
toby@slpmedia.co.uk
A six-year-old girl has used her own savings to feed the homeless – and managed to raise 10 times her target in the process.
Naomi Townsend, a Year 1 pupil from Regina Coeli Catholic Primary School, Pampisford Road, South Croydon fed 22 homeless people across Croydon town centre out of her own pocket.
Her mission, dubbed Project 22, was set up after her primary school tasked each student with raising £22.22 to support the school’s fundraising effort by the February 22, 2022.
Naomi decided against the “boring” traditional fundraising basics like cycling, reading or sponsored silence – and has raised more than 100 times the original amount, with £2,332 donated to her GoFundME page.
Naomi previously volunteered with Percy’s Homeless Hub, a charity that helps distribute food to homeless people and rough sleepers in Croydon.
She said: “No one should have to sleep on the street – it’s cold and lonely out there, and I want everyone to be warm and happy just like my little sister, and I are with our family.”
Using her savings, Naomi bought all the ingredients for her favourite meal of pasta with meat sauce.
Along with a homemade cake, Naomi – with the help of her parents and Percy’s Homeless Hub – distributed the meal to 22 homeless people across the town.
Sleeping bags, bedding, toiletries, and other essentials were also provided by Percy’s Homeless Hub.
Lee Townsend, Naomi’s father, is one of the leaders of the Croydon based group, the Father’s Forum.
He said: “My wife and I are incredibly proud of Naomi, and we’re extremely appreciative of how the community got behind her initiative.
“It’s important to me that my children understand that we are better than no one. We may be more fortunate but certainly not better. “All men were created equally, and we all have a responsibility to be our brother’s keeper.”
Project 22 was independently created by Naomi, something her father puts down to a particular morning affirmation: “I exude confidence, I lead by example, and I always show compassion to others.”
Naomi’s kind words, kind hands, kind feet – the mantra of her school – have sparked a flood of donations to Project 22 long after the original deadline passed.
All proceeds from the fund will go to Regina Coeli Catholic Primary School
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