Over £700 raised for the Homeless (Andrew Simpson)

Over £700 raised for the Homeless

March 5, 2010 7:00 PM

Sleep Easy Event 2010 Local Lib Dem Councillors Andrew Simpson, Sally Beardsworth and Richard Giddings have between them raised over £700 for the various organisations taking part in the 2010 'Sleep Out' in St Giles Church Yard on 5th February.

The 'Sleep Easy 'event was organised by the Northampton Hope Centre, a charity that has been helping homeless people in the town for the past 35 years which aims to raise funds and awareness of people's plight by getting as many people to sleep rough for a night. Councillors Andrew Simpson, Sally Beardsworth and Richard Giddings were among the 120 plus people who took part in the event.

"It was great to take part in the event and get a feel for what it was like sleeping outside" said Andrew Simpson. "It is simply wrong that in the 21st century we still have people sleeping rough because of their circumstances. A warm and secure home should be a basic right for all".

Cllr Sally Beardsworth is the Housing Portfolio Holder on Lib Dem run Northampton Borough Council and took part in the event alongside council staff.

"I wanted to experience what it was like at first hand to sleep out for the night" said Sally. "We have been making great progress in Northampton to tackle homelessness but there is still much to do."

The Lib Dem's youngest Councillor, Richard Giddings said "It was the first time supporting this event and a real eye opener as to trying to sleep outdoors. We were lucky that the cold spell had a break when we took part."