01/01/2024
Happy New Year Everyone.
Our GoFundMe link is now closed. Please drop off any remaining cash donations at Furness Homeless Support Group, 27 Bath St. Little did we think back in the early days we'd be looking at a total raised in excess of £13,800
The concept for a sleep-out was born in July, and Barrow AFC and Barrow AFC Events were approached with regards to a venue and instantly were extremely supportive of the project. Back then it seemed an easy ask. With shorts and t-shirts being the attire for our first meeting, weather was not really a concern. How wrong were we!
Over the next 4 months we planned and discussed how the event would take place and, fortunately, built in some contingencies too. Local organisations wholeheartedly supported the project and armed with cash, services, products, discounts and much more, we set about creating an event to make Furness proud and participants safe.
Ultimately the goal was to raise awareness and funds, in aid of the Furness Homeless Support Group and every time we faltered, we were reminded of an early conversation with the charity, when they told us, at that time, every one of the 19 temporary accommodations, they had access too, were full. Every problem became a challenge but every challenge was met and Barrow AFC and local orgs played a big part in helping us overcome those challenges.
As we now know, the weather did play a part and storms Elin and then Fergus were severe enough to force the AFC home game to be called off on the day of the sleep-out. But we turned up and so did our participants, in numbers, armed with sleeping bags and smiles.
Free food and entertainment took everyone's minds off the awful weather and the night ahead, but at 11pm a lone bagpiper marched into the arena playing Amazing Grace, signalling bedtime, and the poignancy of the music, was a reminder of why we were there.
The make shift camps, the nooks and cranny's all became everyone's sleeping quarters for the night but the cardboard bases didn't quite take away the firmness of the hard floor. Some even had multiple yoga mats to lie on but still woke up stiff and uncomfortable, a reminder of just how difficult sleeping rough really is, even for just one night.
At around 1am the storm subsided and from 2am onwards it was eerily quiet, for those of us staying awake to "keep guard" (another luxury not afforded to the homeless community!) At 6am the smell of breakfast buns wafted around the sleeping areas and everyone had a brew, a bun and shared their tales of the previous night.
Tired, exhausted but extremely proud of our collective achievement everyone made their way home from 7am. Some were even going to local beauty spots to reflect on the previous night and watch the sunrise, grateful they had homes and beds waiting for them, acutely aware 1000's don't
I'm proud of what we achieved and you should be too. Whether you slept out, provided a service, donated time or money, shared our posts or cheered us on, and I really hope the £13,811 raised, is inspiration enough to see you all do it again next year.
Happy New Year and thank you xx
