Volunteers get a taste of life on the streets at sleep out

LOCALS braved a bitterly cold night sleeping out at Oakwell to raise vital cash for a charity that helps young homeless people.

More than 100 folk swapped their beds for sleeping bags in aid of Centrepoint, bedding down on the East Stand concourse at the football ground.

Among them was Alan Thompson, a member of the Barnsley Rockley Rotary Club. The 66-year-old, from Silkstone, said: “The night was cold and noisy. A typical night I think for someone homeless but at least we were in a ‘safe area’ and had the benefits of a sleeping bag and knowing we'd all be going home next morning.

“I wouldn't care to repeat it but I think all those sleeping out would do to help Centrepoint raise funds to support their work.” 

There was plenty going off to keep people’s minds off the rough night ahead with den building and performances from alternative rock band Twenty-Eighth Club and singer Ben Williams who each played a set to entertain sleepers before they bedded down.

It was the first such event to be held in the town since Centrepoint began working in Barnsley earlier this year. Proceeds from the night will fund sports programmes delivered by the charity and Barnsley FC for homeless young people in the town.

Centrepoint already works with more than 100 homeless young people every year in Barnsley, providing accommodation and support to help turn their lives around by gaining essential life skills, tackling physical and mental health issues and moving into education or employment.

Faye Edmonson, the charity’s senior fund-raising manager, said: “It was fantastic to have the support of so many sleepers who braved a bitterly cold night at Oakwell for our first Sleep Out in Barnsley.

“It would be impossible to replicate the terror of spending a night on the streets with nowhere else to go but participants felt the cold and experienced the discomfort which homeless young people have had to endure.

“The money we raise will help support young people in Barnsley as they tackle the physical and mental health problems caused by homelessness and gain the skills and confidence to find work or return to education.”

Louise McCabe, from ASOS, which sponsored the event, said: “As a Centrepoint partner for the last 18 months, and the largest private employer in Barnsley, ASOS is delighted to be supporting Centrepoint and its activities in the area.”