We won’t let homeless become frozen out

Volunteers opt to sleep outdoors to support the homeless. Event at Mahdlo organised by Threshold housing charity. Left to right, Fay Buckley, Debbie Abrahams M.P., Debbie Birtwistle, Gordon Maclean, Rebecca Griffiths, Fran Zuliani-Holland, Lisa Wrigley.

VOLUNTEERS braved a cold hard night to sleep outside to raise awareness of homelessness.

Led by Threshold, part of New Charter, 20 people from its partner agencies including Positive Steps, got curled up on Mahdlo’s artificial grass for 12 hours overnight.

The volunteers dealt with biting winds and freezing temperatures.

The hearty band has already raised more than £2,000 with money still coming in.

The money they raised will be spent on the Inside Out project which provides tenancy starter packs. These contain vital items to help newly-housed young people.

Even MP Debbie Abrahams popped along to see how they were doing.

Jason McKenna, from Threshold, said: “These starter packs can be life-changing as they provide young people with some of the essentials they need to live. The Inside Out service also gives advice and other support to young people to help them with their tenancy and end the homelessness cycle.”

Last year Threshold took part in a sponsored sleep-out which raised £1,750 for Inside Out.