'No one should go to sleep hungry': boy wants to help Blackburn homeless charity

Sam Trickett, who attends Grindleton Primary, wanted to help local homeless charity Nightsafe by selling food from a stall in the park.

But his dad Chris had to tell him that the council couldn't grant permission due to licensing restrictions.

Now thanks to the generosity of local firms Sam's dream is coming true as the director of Clitheroe Wolves offered to host Sam's stall at the football club, and local cake maker Julie Rawcliffe of Cupcakes of Distinction has offered to bake the cakes.

Sam Trickett

Sam's already raised more than £100 and has set up a Just Giving page himself.

He said: "First, I wanted to keep the money for myself but then I decided why not do it for charity.

"I found out that I could do it for Nightsafe and then I decided to it for them.

"I just want to help the homeless. No one should go to sleep hungry and without a roof over their head."

Nightsafe is a Blackburn-based charity that has been supporting young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness since 1999.

Nicola Roscoe (left) and Diane Page of Nightsafe (right) accompany Samuel Trickett (right) and Miles Trickett (left)

Nicola Roscoe, operations manager, said: "I think Sam's an absolute inspiration to other children and young people to understand the importance and educate others around the growth of homelessness in the borough.

"He understands that every person has got a right to a roof over their head, somewhere to sleep and a warm meal to eat every day.

"To get that message out there at such a young age and the fact that he's recognised that himself is amazing."

Sam is dedicated to helping people and has recently just volunteered at a care home in Whalley where his mum Megan is a duty manager.

Sam's dad, Chris said: "He's really well meaning and he's a clever and special little boy.

"He did a day at the care home playing chess with the residents and doing art with them, just because he likes to meet people and he wanted them to be a little less lonely.

"He makes posters at home and lectures me about climate change and says 'we've got to let people know they're using too much plastic' so he really gets his teeth into things. I'm really proud of him."

The stall will be set up on match day at 2.30pm on Saturday.