Annual big sleepout for Streetlife raises £41,000

People from all over the county turned out to the fourth annual event, which saw them sleeping out in front of St John’s Church in the town centre.

The cash raised – which ended up being £13,000 more than last year’s event – will be used to provide emergency safe accommodation to homeless young people in a night shelter at St John’s Walk-in.

Jane Hugo, chief executive of Streetlife, said: “We’re so overwhelmed by the amount of support from people wanting to take part in the Sleepout event and the amount of money which we have raised.

“This money will be used to continue the great work at our night shelter”.

Donations from across the county have been coming in to help raise the whopping £41,000 following the event on Friday, March 23.

Various individuals, groups and businesses took part in the event, including Corrie star Nicola Thorp, who plays Pat Phelan’s daughter.

The top ten leader board results for fund-raising from the event are: Beaverbrooks – £3,614; Slater Gordon Solutions Motor – £3,614, Adcroft Hilton – £1,825; Trevors Food Services £1,344; Hayley Claber – £1,231; Nicola Thorp – £1,153; Options Mortgage Centre – £1,038; Woodhouse Opticians £1,010; Mike Elston – £893 and Linda Ashley – £873.   

A spokesman for Streetlife added: “Streetlife would like to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported and donated to help keep the shelter open.

“Jane and the team are already busy planning a bigger and better Big Sleepout for 2019!

“Watch this space and thank you so much for support in improving the lives of local homeless young people for the better.”

For more details visit /www.wearestreetlife.org