TWO pupils from St Augustine’s Catholic College in Trowbridge are getting their voices heard by speaking out on helping the homeless in their town.

Lillie- Anne Morris and Aga Stefanksa, both 11-years-old, attended a Bradford on Avon council meeting with Aga’s parents to ask the councillors about what they were doing to help the homeless.

Lillie-Anne on Dilton Marsh in Westbury, said: “Our teacher told us about the town council meeting. We were walking to the swimming pool and I told Aga about it and we begged our parents to take us, so we were rushing around trying to figure everything else out.

“It’s unfair that people have to live on the streets. Me and my dad rehomed eight people as we live on a farm, we can do that. We are planning to build a homeless shelter with a soup kitchen.

Aga on Holt Road in Bradford on Avon, said: “I walked into town and saw some homeless people in Bath when I’m out shopping so I want to help. As it’s so cold we bought them a hot chocolate and sometimes I’m given a pound by my Mum to give to them.

Both girls, in year seven, have ambitious plans to build a homeless shelter and raise some money to make a difference. They have detailed plans in their notebooks of ideas to help the situation improve.

These include using horse blankets to keep the homeless warm, donating milk to them, using shipping containers as shelters and baking cakes to raise some funds.

They are surprised they are being recognised for their efforts. Both girls are inspired by global activist Greta Thunberg who despite her young age has made a difference to climate change.

Lillie-Anne has tried to experience what it is like to be homeless.

She said: “I go outside every hour for 10 minutes and stand in the cold as my Dad says it’s good to be speak about it but you don’t know what it’s like until you have to do it.

"My Nan back in the day had horses and the rugs use to get holes and tears in but they're thermal. So we could cut the straps off and give them to the homeless to keep warm.

Aga added: “In Poland my Nan helps with people who give Christmas dinners for the homeless. So she inspires me to do more. Me and Lillie are best friends so decided to do something to make a difference together.

“We would like to do a non-school uniform day with our school and my brother Jakob’s school St John’s Primary. As if we have our school which is over 1000 people combined with them we could have around £3000 to go towards a shelter. Also, we would be happy to do some baking and help out with the soup kitchen when we can.

Lillie-Anne said: “I've seen how long it takes for people on the streets to just move their stuff and they get threats sometimes.

"It’s no use saying just put in the hub as they need people to lookout for them as they will fall back into poverty on the streets. So they need the chance to get qualifications and jobs.

“People don’t usually listen to young people. It’s nice to see people taking consideration of what we’re saying. It sounded at the meeting like it wouldn’t go any further but I’m so glad it has.”