Inspired by a clip on YouTube, this is the story of how 11 year old Amelia Baird has created a project to help homeless youths in Birmingham.

The idea is beautiful in its simplicity. Take a rucksack and fill it with items that anyone living on the streets would find essential – without making it too heavy and then deliver it to those who need it most. But Amelia explains that it wasn’t quite that simple – and had to “bend a few ears” first!

Amelia with one of the bags - donate at www.justgiving.com/survivalbag

Amelia’s starting point was a letter to her head teacher, Mrs Hannam of Lichfield Cathedral School, explaining the idea and asking for assistance. Within a day, Amelia had her reply … A meeting with Mrs Hannam! One meeting turned into a series of 3 planning meetings, resulting in an invitation to (nerviously) present her idea to school council.

With approval from the school council – Amelia first repeated the presentation to the primary school pupils and finally to both senior school and sixth-form in the weekly assembly in Lichfield Cathedral.

Pupils have since been busily donating items to fill the rucksacks. Posters have been prominently displayed all around school (below) and Amelia wrote a letter to parents explaining the project in great detail.

The support from the school, parents and pupils should result in 35 bags which will be distributed with the help of St Basils, a Birmingham charity which works with young people.

And she hasn’t stopped there. Amelia has set up a JustGiving page and is asking for donations – which will directly help St Basils. “Nobody should be without a home in this day and age. I can’t think of anything worse and passionately want to help”, says Amelia.

If you can help, please visit www.justgiving.com/survivalbag

Another way to help is to Share and Retweet this article on Facebook and Twitter - she has a target of £1,000 to reach.

CLICK HERE TO READ PART 2.

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