Sleepout tops £300,000 in wind and rain
The Mayor of St Albans and Mrs Oxley and the Deputy Mayor of St Albans and his son, with Sleepout Chair Brian Peyton, behind. More pictures
Over three hundred and sixty people aged from around nine to over sixty-five, with 50% under 18, succeeded in sleeping the whole night out in St Albans Cathedral precincts to raise money for six homeless charities in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire on 4th December 2009.
The charities taking part were: DENS, Open Door, Centre 33, Leighton Linslade Homeless Service, Luton Move On and Accommodation Project (LAMP) and Watford New Hope Trust.
Despite rain and wind the support for the Sleepout was excellent from all parts of the community with groups from churches as well as individuals taking part. Mike Penning MP and Andrew Selous MP took part – as both have done several times.
From St Albans City and District Council, The Mayor, Cllr Chris Oxley and his wife and the Deputy Mayor, Councillor M Iqbal Zia and his son also took part.
Cllr Chris Oxley, The Mayor commented:
“A trip to Nepal and India earlier this year luckily prepared me and my wife for braving the weather and I also have a terrific Peruvian woolen hat which I was glad to have on the night.
“I salute the courage of everyone who took part, but found it especially encouraging to see how many young people wished to experience what it must be like to have to sleep rough, whilst helping to raise money. I also think it is wonderful to have an event where all faiths were able to join together to express their concern for the homeless.
“Many readers will have had the luxury of a warm bed that night. We experience for just one night the issues that so seriously affect the increasing number of homeless in our city and district due to the adverse economic climate. There is still time to send sponsorship money for the mayoralty to mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk.”
The Deputy Mayor Cllr M Iqbal Zia commented:
“I took part in this event with my son Faisal to get a small insight into what it must be like to be homeless especially at this time of year when the weather is bad, whilst raising funds for those who need it most.
It was good to see participants of a mixture of ages, backgrounds and faiths all sparing a thought for someone who has less than they do, at this festive time of the year which can be especially hard on those with very little.
I am encouraged by the fact that the number of participants has increased and hopefully the numbers will increase still further next year. I must congratulate all who participated in this event, especially during the harsh weather after 3.30am when it became very cold and windy.”
Brian Peyton, Chair of Sleepout said:
“We have been promised £30,000 and each year we exceed what we are promised. I hope we might top last year’s £36,000. That will take the total raised by Sleepout to well over £300,000 since 1994.
“The event was good natured and jolly despite the rain. The dance presentation by Crown Jewels in the Cathedral Crossing before the event made many people think deeply about how tragically easy it is for people to slide from normal life into homelessness and dislocation.”
Any further donations can be made to Brian Peyton, c/o Holywell Lodge, 41 Holywell Hill, St Albans AL1 1HE.
