Blackpool's Big Ryan sleeps rough for good causes again

Ryan, 35, of South Shore, took to the outdoors to raise awareness of his Christmas project in which he is delivering presents to less well off families to ensure their children get Christmas presents.

He has also dropped off a huge number of chocolate boxes for patients at The Harbour mental unit in Blackpool after supporters helped him raise £200.

Ryan, a supporter of the homeless in Blackpool, also wanted to draw attention to homelessness in the town.

With pal Ashley Barrett he was camped outside the entrance of the Gateway mental health resource centre at the Bloomfield Road football stadium, between 7pm last night and 5am this morning (Friday).

It was not the best of nights to be sleeping rough, with a cold wind and rain lashing down for much of the time, but Ryan says that proves how tough it is for people who stay on the streets,

Ryan said: "We were going to stay until 8am this morning but it was freezing.

"I don't know how homeless people do it, night after night.

"This time I am trying to get Christmas presents to the children of those who are struggling."

After Ryan highlighted the campaign on his Facebook page, supporters dropped off presents for him and he has been in touch with certain families in need.

He will play Santa by delivering the gifts.

Ryan added: "I would just like to thank the people who came to encourage us on the night, when we were cold, and all the people who have donated."

Although many homeless people in Blackpool are found accommodation, the homeless issue is a complex one and Ryan says there are still people on the streets, even though the weather is starting to turn more wintry.

He has had a busy few months, staging a sponsored walk at Bloomfield Road stadium in support of the RNLI and helping to set up a soup kitchen.

He added: "You really feel better when you help other people, especially when they're worse off than you."