Six-year-old Jacob is helping the homeless one crisp packet at a time
The parents and teachers of a six-year-old Bridgnorth boy have spoken of their pride after the youngster is helping the homeless by making blankets out of old, discarded crisp packets.
Jacob Aguayo was inspired to help the homeless after a trip to the British Ironwork Centre in Oswestry, earlier this year.
The centre launched an appeal for crisp packets in 2022 and began handing out kits where the plastic packets can be turned into survival blankets to help homeless people stay warm. They are also being sent to help people in Ukraine.
The nationwide Crisp Packet Project was launched to address the problem of flimsy sleeping bags for homeless people.
A blanket made from crisp packets can protect a sleeping bag for weeks in cold and wet weather, reflecting the heat, keeping individuals dry, and helping to reduce the amount of single-use plastic going to landfill.
Inspired to help the homeless, Jacob, who is in Year 1 at Claverley CE Primary School, spent a morning creating a blanket from old crisp packets and now intends to do a lot more.
He even wrote a message on his finished blanket that read: "May this blanket keep you warm and snug".
Proud mum, Laura Aguayo said: "I am sure it will be one of many as he loved the experience of making the blanket. He was able to write a message on the blanket for the recipient. He was so proud of the finished article. We are delighted that his kind, warm heart can keep others warm too.
"We are very proud of him. His headteacher was very proud too. He showed his blanket in a school assembly and his head asked what we the school can do to support him, so he has certainly inspired others to re-use and recycle, while making a difference.
"His school really encourage courageous advocacy, so he’s certainly set an example to others."
Head at Claverley CE, Jo Derrer, said: "At Claverley CE Primary, we encourage our pupils to become courageous advocates which means helping others no matter who they are or what challenges they may face.
"I am so proud of Jacob who has given up his time to make a crisp packet blanket which will help to keep someone warm and dry. He has done something amazing which will benefit others - a true champion for a great cause!"