A SCHOOLGIRL who gives up her weekends to help the homeless has inspired her classmates and teachers.

Sophie Catney, 14, from Rayleigh, spends Saturdays and Sundays at soup kitchen – Street Spirit in Southend – and has taken it upon herself to start collecting essential donations for them.

Kate Hitchins, Sophie’s teacher at FitzWimarc School, Rayleigh, said: “When you ask most teenagers how their weekend was they reply it was ‘ok’, or they tell you they’ve been shopping, playing computer games or doing homework.

“When I asked Sophie last Monday how her weekend had been, she told me that she’d helped out at a Soup Kitchen, and it had really saddened her as there were lots of people sleeping rough and temperatures had dropped to as low as minus 5c.”

Mrs Hitchins told how Sophie passionately explained how the charity collected hats, scarves and gloves to give out, but there were not enough to go around.

She continued: “I was so inspired I had a clear out at home of my cold weather clothing, and brought a bag of donations in for her. Then we decided most people probably have a few spare hats and gloves knocking around at home, so we asked for donations and the response has been overwhelming.

“I am so proud of her for giving up her free time to help those less fortunate than herself and I can’t wait to hear all about her weekend again.”

Sophie explained to the Echo what inspired her. She said: “My mum’s a carer so we used to spend weekends at the home with the older people. Now I want to help people. I am so happy how many donations were collected, it is really important.”

Sophie also helps make packed lunches while at the centre in Southend.