‘I couldn’t imagine having to do this night after night’ Our man Craig on his cold, uncomfortable experience

I started last week with no idea about CATH’s Big Sleep Out, never mind anticipating I’d be sleeping outside St John’s Kirk on the Wednesday night.

After writing the preview piece for the PA on Tuesday November 15, I messaged Andrea Pullar — Adult Literacy Worker at CATH — to say it was a great idea and that it would have been good to have joined in. Her response was:“There’s still time to sign up!”It was time to look out the sleeping bag.

I was genuinely enthusiastic about the event, though — and for many reasons. At a time when all kinds of folk are struggling to get by, it’s refreshing to know that people in our community want to make a difference and are energised enough not only to recognise that, but to act on that instinct.

Taking part in CATH’s Big Sleep Out was eye-opening in so many ways.

It was an obviously uncomfortable night.

Trying to kip outside on a wet mid-November, exposed to the cold heavy rain, (nobody gave up and went inside — despite the option always being there), with the bells of St John’s Kirk, or some unwelcome snoring starting up any time I felt like I might drift off, is a bad idea.

Yes, the camaraderie was strong —as a one-man team, I joined up with the Marks and Spencers group — there was a cup of coffee and a Murray’s pie, but my Thursday was truly an unproductive struggle. Friday wasn’t much better.

Yet none of that really matters at all. As we all agreed at 6am on Thursday morning, we had the option of going to bed the following night. We could wash and dry our clothes, take a hot shower and put our feet up.

Imagine having to do that again, night after night. Consider being in a position where your biggest concern was not getting your eight hours of sleep before work, where nobody stopped to offer hot food or polite conversation. I was wearing about six layers, thermal vests, and the thickest socks I could get my hands on. Imagine not having that relative luxury during the winter?

It’s a grim scenario, but that’s the reality for thousands upon thousands of people across the country, a particularly dreadful situation in big cities where demand completely exceeds supply.

Perth has its own problems, but a charity like CATH is vital to offering support to those who — for many reasons — find themselves without a place to live. Not only providing emergency accommodation and hot meals all year round, but supporting individuals who take steps towards independent living, offering advice and support.

It’s a brilliant charity with real purpose, and hopefully when they gather their donations they’ll be looking at an impressive total. It’s easy to be cynical, but I can’t see how that’s anything other than positive news.