Bunk down at Somerset Park
Football fans will be given the chance to snooze under the stars on their sacred turf next month.
The Somerset sleepout, which returns on Saturday, April 11, will see the home of Ayr United opened under twilight.
The club is teaming up with homeless charity, SeAscape, to highlight the plight of those enduring tough times in our community.
All monies raised from the event, which will feature live entertainment and food, will go to the Ayr- based charity.
SeAscape team leader, Louise Liddell, said: “It’s important we raise the profile of homelessness as much as we can.
“It takes many different forms and a lot of people out there are slipping through the net.
“We are here offering a wide range of services and are incredibly busy, but events like this are vital in raising our profile to those who maybe don’t know enough about what we do.”
SeAscape, formed in 1999, offer everything from housing support to befriending and rent deposit schemes.
And their outreach support service sees dedicated officers like Angela Clark walk the streets seeking out those in need.
She said: “You’d be amazed at the people who are out there and don’t want to ask for help.
“People might say homelessness doesn’t exist in Ayr, but they’d be wrong because the number of people sofa surfing, for example, is a very real issue.”
For just a £ 5 registration fee, both football fans and the general public can take part in the Somerset Sleepout.
The Stage Door will lay on a tasty BBQ for all those in attendance and club chiefs are hoping for a big turnout to raise as much money as possible.
Ayr United’s Graeme Miller said: “Last year’s event was a huge success and thoroughly enjoyed by all ages.
“We had no hesitation in staging the Sleepout again this year and hopefully we can get an even bigger turnout.
“SeAscape do fantastic work in the community and anything we can do to raise their profile is a good thing.”
To register for the event, visit www. somersetsleepout. org