A young Newcastle United footie fan has helped raise much-needed items for a foodbank.
Wilfy Hodgson, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, has collected 1,000 meals for the Newcastle West End Food Bank.
The eight-year-old was helped by pupils from Dame Allan's School, in Newcastle, and the Newcastle United Women's team, who held a collection at their recent match against Norton at Kingston Park.
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Inspired by Wilfy latest mission, a group of Year 9 boys at the independent schools in Fenham started their own collection and helped amass more than 600 donations towards the fundraiser’s goal.
On Wednesday, Wilfy – who has already raised thousands of pounds for charity with his ‘Bruno’s magic hat’ initiative – joined the Dame Allan’s Boys’ School pupils to deliver boxes full of donations to Newcastle West End Food Bank.
Wilfy said: “It’s very kind of the boys from Dame Allan’s to help our fundraising efforts. It was great to spend time with them collecting donations at the Newcastle United Women’s matches and together we’ve managed to collect 1021 items for the food bank.”
Dame Allan’s pupil Dobby Okorodas, 13, from Newcastle, donated to the charity.
He said: “There are people out there who are struggling with the cost of living crisis, and I feel it’s important to help in some way. By donating to the food bank, I hope we’ve really helped local families.”
The boys were accompanied by u18 Lioness, Daisy Burt, a player at Newcastle United Women’s Football Club whose teammates and supporters have also contributed towards Wilfy’s fundraising target.
She said: “Wilfy and his ‘Bruno’s Magic Hat’ initiative caught our eye as it’s a unique way to raise awareness of the food bank. We really wanted to get involved because it’s such a brilliant cause. I hope this means families don’t have to suffer as food will be available to them through donations like the ones from Wilfy and the boys from Dame Allan’s.”
The teenagers felt inspired to support Wilfy after learning about his efforts during a PSHE (personal, social, health and economic education) lesson on youth activism, led by Dame Allan’s teacher Angela Brady.
She said: “I could see the impact Wilfy’s story had on pupils and together we thought how great it would be if the Schools contributed towards his fundraising mission. The boys involved have really got behind the cause and shown real care for the community in their fundraising.”
Pupils and staff at Dame Allan’s – a collection of four independent schools that follow the diamond structure of education from nursery age through to Sixth Form – donated hundreds of jars, packets and tins of non-perishable food items.
According to the latest official figures from the Department for Work and Pensions, about three per cent of families in the UK – at least 2.1 million people – used a food bank in the year to March 2022. Those in the north of England and Scotland were most likely to have used a food bank in the 12 months compared to the rest of the UK.
Will Scott, Principal of Dame Allan’s Schools, said: “When you consider these figures and the rising costs of living, our collective efforts to support Wilfy’s mission are now more important than ever.
“I feel incredibly proud of the compassion, care and generosity shown by those within our schools and the wider community, as their selfless efforts will help support hundreds of families in our local area.”
The donation comes after Wilfy created a magic hat inspired by a chant to honour Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimarães which was worn by the footballer and other sporting stars.
It raised more than £5,000 for the foodbank and cash to buy hundreds of Easter eggs which were donated to the charity ahead of the club's Carabao Cup final clash.
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