Hamper help from youngsters

Thoughtful youngsters have been packaging up food and treats to give to the less fortunate this Christmas.

Collection points have been set up at Rochdale Town Hall and in other council offices to encourage staff and the public to drop of unwanted tins from the back of the kitchen cupboard – or anything they want to buy extra to help someone less fortunate than themselves.

Staff from the council’s Youth Offending Team helped get things started with a £60 donation from a raffle in the office. The young people involved are all teenagers currently doing reparation work in the borough under the guidance of the Youth Offending Team.

It’s hoped enough food will be collected and bought to put together around 30 hampers – they’ll be distributed early next week to sheltered accommodation, families identified by the Youth Offending Team, and to Youth Inclusion Projects in Heywood, Middleton and Kirkholt. Some will also be provided to housing offices and the council’s homelessness team.

Councillor Irene Davidson, cabinet member for children and young people on Rochdale Borough Council, said: “I’m pleased to see these youngsters setting a good example and giving something back to their local communities. Teenagers often get a bad press but this really shows that there are kids who want to help others and help make Christmas a little easier for those less fortunate than themselves.”

Anyone wanting to donate some food for the hampers can drop it off at Rochdale Town Hall, the municipal offices or the council’s Townhead offices on John Street in Rochdale.