Teenager helps homeless keep out the cold

Fourteen-year-old Caitlyn Clarke is on a mission to help the homeless of the Hibiscus Coast.

While on holiday in Australia, Caitlyn noticed a large number of homeless people. She bought soaps, toothbrushes, and beanies to help them.

When she returned home, she wanted to make a difference in her own community.

"I watched a social experiment on YouTube involving a homeless man who was given $50 but gave it away immediately when another man said he had no money for his daughter's medicine.

"This inspired me to make a difference. I wanted to pack up bags full of blankets and warm clothes for them because it's going into winter now," says Caitlyn.

Caitlyn spoke in front of her year at Orewa College to explain her cause.

"I talked in front of the assembly for the year 10s, but it didn't go very well. I guess it just doesn't really click into young people's minds," she says.

Michelle, Caitlyn's mother, posted about her daughter's initiative on Facebook, helping her message spread.

Caitlyn has produced flyers and developed a website where people learn about her campaign and contact her for donations.

"I really wanted to try to do something because I felt bad homeless people are looked down on in society.

"I know it's hard for them to get a job because they aren't qualified."

Caitlyn has already collected numerous donations from people and plans to distribute them throughout Orewa during the school holidays in April.

"It only takes one person to make a difference and for that to start spreading," Caitlyn says.

She wants to distribute her care packs in association with Love Soup, an organisation helping the homeless on the Hibiscus Coast.

Julie King, the Auckland area coordinator for Love Soup, was excited to hear about Caitlyn's initiative.

"I think it's great that young ones can lead by example. It's very promising for our future," says Ms King.