Caption left to right: Back row: Karen Rabjohn, Luton Accommodation and Move on Project; Mike Smith, Watford New Hope Trust; Peter Graham Centre 33 and Open Door; Judy Rencontre, Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter; Maurice Blackman, Leghton Linslade Homeless Service; Front Row: Mary Johnson, Leighton Linslade Homeless Service; Brian Peyton; Jean Peyton; Fr Darren Collins, St Albans Cathedral; Jenny Mass, Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter.
The Mayor Cllr Chris Oxley, the Mayoress and the Deputy Mayor will be taking part in the annual sponsored Sleepout at St Albans Abbey, which will take place on Friday 4th December from 9pm until 7am.
They will join hundreds of people in the Abbey precinct, to experience first hand what it is like to sleep out in the cold, whilst raising sponsorship money for homeless charities.
Last years’ Sleepout raised £36,000 bringing the total raised for all 15 sleepouts to £293,000.
The charities being supported this year include two local charities, the first is Open Door, which opened in 1993 and has provided emergency shelter for over 7,000 vulnerable, homeless people in St Albans. Plans are now in place to redevelop and refurbish the old Victorian building that Open Door uses, so as to provide single bedrooms with wash facilities, rather than the existing dormitory accommodation. This will provide a much better environment for homeless people that will boost self-esteem and support them to change their lives. For further information visit the website: http://www.opendoorstalbans-district.org/
The second local charity is Centre 33, which is run entirely by a dedicated group of volunteers, Centre 33 is a drop-in centre where homeless and socially or materially disadvantaged people in the St Albans community can come to relax, be social, and enjoy a free meal and a drink in a friendly, welcoming environment. For further information visit the website: http://www.centre33.org/
Other charities benefiting from the Sleepout are Dacorum Emergency Night Shelter, Watford New Hope Trust, Luton Accomodation and Move-On Project and Leighton Linslade Homeless Service.
Everyone is welcome to join in, although youngsters under the age of eighteen should be accompanied by an adult. The police are aware of the event and first aid will be available through a voluntary group called “Direct”.
The Mayor of St Albans City and District, Cllr Chris Oxley commented: “I do hope that all who read this, will feel able to sponsor me or my wife Marion for our sleepout to help those in need. It is great for those of us who do have a regular roof over our heads and a warm home; it is difficult to imagine the discomfort for those who do not have regular basic shelter. Please give your support – it is greatly needed.”
The Deputy Mayor of St Albans City and District, Cllr M Iqbal Zia commented: “I will be taking part in this event with my son Faisal and we hope that many people will sponsor us to raise money for Open Door and Centre 33. It is a unique way to get a small insight into what it must be like to be homeless, whilst at the same time raising funds to help those who need it most, especially at this time of the year. In this current economics climate we are all stretched, but to spare a thought for someone who has less than you will be most rewarding.”
Offers to sponsor either the Mayor, his wife Marion or the Deputy Mayor can be made through the Mayor’s secretary either by e-mail: mayoralty@stalbans.gov.uk or by telephoning: 01727 819544.
For further information and to book your place, please visit the website: http://www.stalbans.anglican.org/Mission/Poverty-and-Homelessness/Sleepout or if you have any queries contact Val Geldard on 01727 851748 or email sleepout@stalbans.anglican.org.
Organiser:
Brian Peyton, Tel: 01582 761723
Contact for the Mayor’s office:
Alison Orde, the Mayor’s Civic Officer
Tel: 01727 819544 E-mail: Alison.orde@stalbans.gov.uk
Communications Team contact:
Davina Mansell, information and communication officer
St Albans City and District Council
Tel: 01727 819316 E-mail: davina.mansell@stalbans.gov.uk
www.stalbans.gov.uk