MOST schoolchildren are encouraged to stay away from strangers – but one girl has been going out of her way to meet them.

Courtney Avey, 14, is offering hope to the homeless in Portsmouth after volunteering to help her mum’s friend dish out food to those in need.

The Warblington School pupil, of The Warren, Leigh Park, spends two evenings a week talking to those who are homeless as part of her Duke of Edinburgh award.

She said: ‘At first I was quite nervous because I didn’t know how they’d be like towards us.

‘I thought they’d be angry and aggressive but they were really kind and let us fit in straight away.’

The schoolgirl has joined Jenette Mace’s mission to feed the homeless of Portsmouth.

Twice a week the pair drive to the homeless hotspots

Jenette, 41, of Leigh Park, is asking people to donate. She has a trolley in Havant Tesco Extra, collecting food and clothing.