Students with Christmas spirit gave a group of homeless people a Christmas to remember – by sleeping rough in sub-zero temperatures.

Thirteen sixth form students at St Anne’s Academy spent a night under the stars to help raise £1,000 to pay for a slap-up meal for 40 people at the Salvation Army hostel in Rochdale.

Armed with just sleeping bags, cardboard boxes and basic food to get them through the night, they braved freezing temperatures to camp out in the grounds of the Hollin Lane school.

They then used cash from the initiative to serve up a lavish Christmas dinner and gifts for people who attend the Bridge Project at the Salvation Army in Rochdale.

John Lloyd, who is leading pupils through their certificate in a personal effectiveness qualification, said the sleep-out gave pupils a fresh perspective on homelessness.

He said: “We were able to keep each other’s morale up by singing, chatting and keeping the banter going through the night.

“We also knew in the back of our minds that it was only for one night and that we would be going home to a warm, comfortable bed. But the reality for many homeless people is that they have to spend night after night on the streets alone.

“It was a very humbling experience and we all left we a new found respect for people who are homeless.” Ten days after sleeping rough for the night, students used the cash they raised from the initiative to serve a Christmas meal with all the trimmings to people who attend the Bridge Project at Providence House, the home of the Salvation Army in Rochdale. They also prepared a hamper stuffed with hats, gloves, chocolate and other festive treats to give out.

David Ashton from the Bridges Project, a group of Rochdale churches who provide a meal at the Salvation Army every Monday, said: “It was a brilliant event and one we would like to repeat.

“The students came and prepared a fantastic meal, served it, handed out gifts and provided entertainment in the form of a choir.

“Traditionally the Bridges Project provides a festive meal on the Monday for the Christmas and it was great to have young people here doing that.”

Colin Mottershead, centre manager of the Salvation Army in Rochdale, said: “We were more than happy to support this initiative and were pleased to see young people volunteering to help out.”

A spokesperson for St Anne’s Academy thanked Continental Textiles, Hill Biscuits, Morrisons, MacDonalds, McBrides, Accrol UK and Rose Tissues, who all made donations to the pupil’s initiative.

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