BURTON. Albion’s Academy players, staff and parents rounded-off their season with a donation of food and toiletries to YMCA Burton.
The boxes of donated items were taken to the Reconnect centre in Burton by the under 15s, who had also taken part in last year’s Sleepout at the Pirelli Stadium. The players had also previously visited the centre for a tour and had even travelled down to London to witness a debate in Parliament on homelessness, after being invited by the Charity.
Players who attended the debate and made donations said that they believe that the work YMCA Burton do is crucial to helping people and believe that visiting the Houses of Parliament was an eye-opening experience.
Jay McGrath (age 15)
“We got the coach down to London, while we were there we visited the Houses of Parliament. We looked around and talked about the ins and outs of what they do on a daily basis. We found out what the Prime Minister does and what traditions they have.
“We went upstairs and viewed a debate on homelessness that was happening in the House of Commons at the time. It was a good experience. It is something that I had never done and will probably never get the chance to do again. It was really good to be there with all the boys and we learnt a lot.”
“The work that YMCA Burton do is fantastic, the charity is helping people across the country, and in Burton. Some people would not be able to live without the work that they do, so it is really important.”
Said Idouarab (age 14)
“I thought that it was really enriching to see how the people in charge decide how money is spent and how they are helping homelessness. The work that the YMCA do is really positive, it changes lives. I think that with the help of people in Parliament, the work that they do will only get better.”
Kyle Sharp (age 15)
“I thought that it was really interesting to see what it is actually like in a real debate. Obviously, you normally only see it on television, really.
“The YMCA Burton do terrific work for the local people. For people to donate food and the YMCA distribute it to people who are in need is really good. They are doing it in their own time to help others who need them.”