A group of students from schools across Burton and South Derbyshire have given up their time to help homeless people in the area by creating hygiene packs.

As part of the National Citizen Service, THE group of teens decided they wanted to do something to help make life on the streets that little bit easier. The group, which was led by Emma Jenkinson and George Kenning, teamed up with Burton HOPE to make bags filled with useful hygiene products, such as soap, face wipes and sanitary products.

After carrying out bake sales and selling tasty snacks to the people of Burton, the group were able to collect enough money to create the packs. The team created 40 bags in total, 30 of which were for men and 10 were for women, due to there being more homeless men than women in the area.

The group handed their bags to John and Lewis Anderson, right, for Burton Hope to hand out to the town's rough sleepers

Lewis Anderson, who works to support Burton Hope, said: "We were absolutely thrilled to receive the hygiene and sanitary products for the rough sleepers in Burton from the NCS group, but not nearly as please as those who have already received them.

"Upon receiving the packages, we spoke to the group detailing the problems faced by some of the homeless people in Burton, and many had a good understanding already and even showed an interest in getting involved in our group further.

"It was wonderful to see such enthusiasm for a good, local cause and I'm glad that their efforts have paid off for those sleeping rough."

Sarah Belcher, Emma Barnfield, Sophie Poyser, Macey Jarvis, Freya Lean, Ibrar Ahmed, Fiza Nadeen, Aalyia Hannah Ibrar, Cieran Travis, Kaitlin Woodfine, Joshua Bareja, Callum Robson and Eishah Hameed all took time out of their summer holidays to try to help others in the community.

What is in the hygiene packs?

The team worked hard raising the funds to create the packs. Each pack includes:

  • Tissues
  • Socks
  • Deodrant
  • Cleansing wipes
  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Soap

The packs for the women also include several sanitary products.

What is the National Citizen Service?

The National Citizen Service, which has been set up by the government, is open to all 16 and 17-year-olds in England.

Schemes run in the spring, summer and autumn, bringing together young people from different backgrounds. It encourages personal and social development teaching teens important life skills.

Participants are expected to create and develop a social action project to deal with a local issue they are passionate about and spend 30 hours putting the project into action within their community.

More than 275,000 young people have already taken part in the scheme, since it was launched in 2011.

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