Charity 12-hour sleepout to highlight homelessness
PAA new charity is staging a 12-hour sleepout to highlight the issue of winter homelessness.
Food for Thought Cotswolds recently became a registered charity after launching last year to provide hot meals, drinks and support to rough sleepers from a converted van.
About 12 people have so far signed up to join the sleepout which is taking place in Cirencester Market Place on 20 December from 19:00 GMT to 07:00 GMT the next day.
The Liberal Democrat MP for South Cotswolds, Roz Savage MBE, will be taking part in the full 12 hours and said the event was about "shining a light on homelessness and hardship".
Gerry Watkins, who founded the charity, said he felt it was important to stage the event in the colder months.
"Most sleepouts are done in the summer, but the people taking part tonight will actually get an insight into how the homeless have to deal with the conditions they're living in."
'Going to get worse'
Mr Watkins said he spends a lot of his spare time driving around the local area helping the homeless with food and emergency items.
"Yes, it's a rich area, but we're subject to the problem like any other town.
"So by doing this, I just want to bring awareness of the problem of homelessness, not just in Cirencester, but in Stroud and the surrounding villages and towns, because there is a problem and it's going to get a lot worse," he added.
Ms Savage said the issues of homelessness and hardship are often "hidden" even in a place as beautiful as the Cotswolds.
"In recent years, we have sadly lost members of our community who were sleeping rough or without a safe, secure home," she said.
"Their lives, and their loss, are a powerful reminder of why it matters that we look out for one another.
"This night is about more than spending a few hours in the cold. It's about standing together as a community and recognising the vital work that people like Gerry are doing all year round to support those in crisis."
A spokesperson for Cotswold District Council said there were currently "no known rough sleepers in the district" but an outreach provider was available to visit anyone with accommodation concerns.
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