Ex-homeless share their experiences at sleep out

Forty-six people took part in Worthing Churches Homeless Projects’ annual sleep out in the playground at Broadwater CofE First and Middle School, raising more than £8,000.

For some, it was the third or fourth time participating in the sleep out. Worthing mayor Vic Walker and the mayoress Rosemary Walker slept out for the second year.

The evening began with a barbecue and an opportunity for the participants to meet and get to know each other.

Rachel Blair, the charity’s community fundraiser, said: “We were especially fortunate this year to have two people who had previously used the services of the charity taking part. This was a really special part of the event as they were happy to talk about their experiences, the realities of rough sleeping and share what difference the charity had made on their lives.”

Participant Sarah Deamer said she felt ‘proud to be a part of it’ after hearing their stories.

Each person took a different approach, with some building small fortresses out of cardboard boxes and bin bags while others simply laid out their sleeping back on a thin sheet of cardboard.

The funds raised go towards the running costs of the projects, which are £1.7 million a year.

To sponsor any of the participants, visit mydonate.bt.com/events/wchpsleepout15/192730 or make a direct contribution to Worthing Churches Homeless Projects,13 Grafton Road, Worthing, BN11 1QP.