Rachael sleeps rough to raise funds for homeless young

A DURHAM care home worker is choosing to sleep rough for one night to raise funds for homeless young people.

Rachael Hindle will swap her comfy bed and duvet for a cold floor and sleeping bag in Sunderland’s Stadium of Light on Thursday, 2^nd November.

The regional development officer for the Hill Care Group, which operates care homes throughout the North of England, is taking part in Centrepoint’s Sleep Out 2017.

She will be joined by friend Leigh Varga, a health and social care trainer for Lifetime Training, as they aim to raise £200 each for the charity.

Centrepoint, the UK’s leading charity for homeless young people, has been running Sleep Out events across the UK for ten years.

This is the first time Rachael and Leigh have participated but they have taken part in similar charitable events for several years.

Rachael said: “For the last few years, myself and my dear friend Leigh have helped refugees in France, fundraised for animal rescue centres and, last year, we were involved with helping those without a home in Newcastle upon Tyne.

“While helping the homeless, I was touched and saddened to hear some of the stories they shared with us.

“Many of them had such positivity and courage and their smiles in the face of adversity really made me want to do more.

“That’s why on a bitterly cold and damp November night, we’ll be taking part in Centrepoint’s Sleep Out, swapping our beds and warm houses for a sleeping bag and a night on the streets.”

“It won’t be an easy task but it will help give some of society’s most vulnerable people the support they need to rebuild their lives.”

Centrepoint provides housing and support for over 200 16 to 25 year olds in the North East – and 9,200 nationally.

To help Rachael and Leigh raise funds for the charity visit their website https://sleepoutnortheast.everydayhero.com/uk/rachael/wizard/share.