New date announced for postponed charity sleep out

A new date for a sleep out to raise money for homeless people in Guernsey has been chosen after the event was postponed due to severe weather.

The Big Skipton Sleep Out is now due to take place on 20 March.

Organiser Skipton International said the event would still be held at the KGV Memorial Fields and would have the same timings and programme as originally planned.

Graham Merfield, chair of Caritas Guernsey, added: "It is no small responsibility to have more than 160 people sleeping out in an exposed area. Safety comes first and postponing was absolutely the right call, and we're thankful for everyone's flexibility."

The event was postponed due to weather conditions caused by Storm Ingrid.

Skipton International said everyone who was previously registered would automatically be transferred to the new date and new participants were still able to register.

It added while the event could be rescheduled it recognised people who were genuinely without shelter did not have the choice to avoid the severe weather.

Merfield added: "The Sleep Out shines a light on the hidden homelessness experienced by so many locally, and the funds raised directly support our community project to provide safe and dignified accommodation.

"We hope the new date will allow even more islanders to get involved and help us continue turning long‑term solutions into reality."

Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk.