A GROUP of Gwent school children proved to be a blessing for a Newport charity after raising thousands of pounds to help deliver vital household items to homeless and struggling families in the area.

Pupils from Monmouth School have already raised part of the £15,000 cost of the Raven House Trust's new van.

The charity supplies homeless people with furniture, television and other household items.

Following last summer's Marlborough Road fire, in which 13 homes were destroyed by flames, the charity launched a massive appeal to help those who were left homeless.

Yesterday, pupils helped Raven House manager Paul Evans load the new van for the first time.

And the new van also received a blessing from the Bishop of Monmouth, the Reverend Dominic Walker.

"We are a totally voluntary organisation and we rely on help from others. The new van will really help us to help others who are in need," Mr Evans said.

He added: "It is a bit unusual for a van to be blessed but the church and school have been very supportive of us and we were pleased the Bishop could come along to bless the van."

The charity also received a £2,000 donation from local businesses.