December downpours fail to dampen the Sleepout spirit
 |
The wet weather did not dampen spirits at the annual Sleep Out at St Albans Cathedral on 1 st December.
By sleeping rough outside the Cathedral, 480 people raised well over £30, 000 for local charities that support homeless people. This figure is expected to rise as those who could not face the stormy night were given the option of making a donation instead.
Over 250 of those that slept out were under the age of 18. Their needs were catered for by a rock band from the Vineyard Church in St Albans which led a worship event in the Crossing of the Cathedral. Cathedral Chaplain for Youth, Father Stuart Cradduck said, “With a slow steady rain falling all night the kids will have got a real taster of what it is like for homeless people at this time of year.”
Those who slept out included two MPs, two mayors, two local Police officers who had raised over £400 through sponsorship and 6 priests from St Albans Diocese each of whom had brought members of their congregations.
Organiser, Brian Peyton said, “I think it is wonderful that people give their time and vocation to supporting homeless people. The Sleepout is a great partnership between organisations such as the Mothers Union, The Rotary Club and the Cathedral.”
Notes for editors
- The charities that benefited are: Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter, North Herts Sanctuary, Open Door St Albans, and Stevenage Haven.
- Picture caption: teenagers from Slip End in Hertfordshire bed down for the night by the South Nave Aisle wall of St Albans Cathedral.
- Since it began Sleep out has raised over £200, 000 for local charities that help homeless people.
- Sleepouts are spreading with events happening this year in Bedford, Chelmsford, Watford and Winchester.
- Sleepout is supported by the Diocese of St Albans, The Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Albans, The Mothers Union, the Rotary Club, and Barclays.
- For further information contact: sleepout@stalbans.anglican.org
