The group is part of the Society of St Vincent de Paul. The St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP) is an international Christian voluntary organisation dedicated to tackling poverty and disadvantage by providing practical assistance to those in need. ‘Mini Vinnies’ are children aged between 7 to 11 who, with the permission of their parents and the support of their Schools, are encouraged to embark on their first steps as possible ‘Vincentians for life’. As Mini Vinnies, the youngsters have their own ‘treasured’ Prayer, Pledge and Badge, a dedicated website (www.minivinnies.org.uk/) and a range of bright and colourful documents which guide them in their formative steps – helping and enabling them to become in every sense, young Vincentians – or ‘Mini Vinnies’. They will decide which worthy cause they would like to help each year and of course how they will do this.
Our group help people less fortunate than us by raising money, praying and doing things for lonely people. St Patrick’s School ‘Mini Vinnies’ group are all in Year 5. We pray together each week and meet to discuss ways we can help others. We collect food on the first Friday of the month and take it to the Food Bank to help those in need. We have previously raised funds for, amongst others, the Baby Feeding Stations in Sudan and for the national SVP. We have also had coffee mornings, cake sales and sent cards to local people who are lonely.
Our group often lead the worship in school and we organised the Day of Many Colours in aid of Mission Together. We led the KS1 and 2 Collective Worships and then ran Prayer Stations in the Hall for the whole school.
