Over £3000 raised for Shelter through the Wates Living Space StreetSleep

1 December, 2009

On 17th November- probably the wettest night Manchester has seen in 2009- staff from Wates Living Space NW decided to do a ‘street sleep’ to raise money and awareness for Homelessness and Housing Charity, Shelter.   The 17 enthusiastic staff members from Wates Living Space led by Angela Hornby, had thought long and hard about how to carry out fundraising before coming up with the fundraising idea with a difference- to actually put themselves in the shoes or sleeping bags of the people they sought to help. The 16 other individuals roped in to join the team must be named and thanked for their efforts – Steve Jackson, Lindsey Coad, Andy Taylor, Danielle Meredith, David Ibbotson, Damian Sheldon, Jim Duffy, Carla White, Paul Robinson, John Howe, Jon Pollard, Gary Dawson, Jess Stephenson, Steve Wright, Tracey Herrick, and Mark Norcliffe.

At 8pm, the staff met in Mount Street with the prospect that for one night only they would see what some Manchester Residents have to do each night- sleep outside on the streets in the cold, dark and damp conditions.

After some team motivation and a hearty meal to prepare them for the night ahead, Shelter Spokesperson for Greater Manchester, Tamarind Penrose-Foster, highlighted the work that Shelter Greater Manchester does on a daily basis to help the individuals in the area get the quality of life they need; ensuring that people all over the region have their roofs kept over their head, their finances addressed so they can pay their bills and have the correct income and support provided where they have care needs.  “It is all too familiar at this time of year for people to really be struggling to try to buy those Christmas gifts while still being able to afford to pay the rent and with the recession in full swing this year it is likely to be harder than ever with more clients contacting Shelter for advice to help them keep their home or find new affordable housing”.

Shelter praised the Wates Living Space fundraisers for the work they were doing as it demonstrated that as well as being passionate about helping support the charity they really understood the actual circumstances that some people had to face each night.  Over £3000 was raised by Wates Living Space, and thanks to Wates’ fantastic WatesGiving Scheme, another £500 will be added - this will go directly to helping the needs of the residents in Manchester.

Director for Wates Living Space, Steve Jackson, commented: “Whilst experiencing many highs and lows throughout the night, I was taken a back by the team’s determination and courage to see it through even when it was more like sleeping on a lake! I was so proud to be a part of this enthusiastic team, giving up their own time to help this worthwhile cause! I was also taken a back with the generosity of the Manchester people who donated £135.00 to our kerb side appeal. Special thanks also go to our sponsor MM developments who donated the much needed hooded sweatshirts, and Kem Edwards who kindly donated thermal clothing and umbrellas – which we couldn’t have done without!”

Categories: influencing, affordable housing, CR, people, north west

Tags: Shelter, StreetSleep