STUDENTS at Casterton’s Sacred Heart Parish Primary School have launched this year’s Mini Vinnies winter appeal to support those in need of warmth in the coming winter.

Ten students from the school’s upper year levels met last Friday morning to start the appeal, run with the support of the Casterton branch of the St Vincent de Paul Society and Casterton Foodworks.

The appeal is accepting donations of various winter woollies, including jumpers, scarves and blankets, as well as canned and packaged foods at the school’s foyer.

‘Winter warming’ hampers from the subsequent donations will be assembled on 17 June.

Vinnies Casterton’s Frank McInerney, visited the school to help launch the sppeal and said the students would also be selling winter woollies at a stall available at the school’s foyer.

“Any funds raised go to assist people in the community in need,” he said.

Mini Vinnies will run events at the school over the next four weeks as part of the appeal, including a soup day, a casual clothes day and a Zooper Dooper day.

Mr McInerney said the participating students were “very enthusiastic” about being a part of Mini Vinnies.

“When I report to the senior Vinnies group, they’re very excited about what the kids are doing and their enthusiasm for looking after people who are struggling a bit,” he said.

Two of the students involved, Marlee Robbins and Adele Murphy said they were happy to be a part of the appeal.

“I like helping people and raising money,” Marlee said.

Mini Vinnies also holds a Christmas appeal towards the end of the year.

Mr McInerney thanked Casterton Foodworks for their assistance in setting up the appeal.

“They’ve (Cast Foodworks) always supported Vinnies for the winter and Christmas appeals,” he said. Donations can be left in the foyer of Sacred Heart Primary School or at Casterton Foodworks and will be accepted until 17 June.