Marjorie to tough it out for a good cause
A cold night is expected for homeless sleepout
A Perth pensioner who will take part in this week’s CATH Sleepout hopes the efforts of those involved will raise awareness about homelessness.
Marjorie Clark, member and elder at St Matthew’s Church, and current Moderator of the Presbytery of Perth, is part of a team taking part in the third sleepout in support of those who find themselves homeless.
Marjorie is being joined outside St John’s Kirk by Allan Wilson, Jean Young, Isobel Sinclair, and Cllr Pete Barrett.
“CATH has been doing tremendous works with homeless and vulnerable people here in Perth for over 25 years, so our one night sleeping out is a way of saying thank you to them,” explained Marjorie.
“I’m not particularly looking forward to it, but I hope friends will give generously.”
Very cold weather is forecast, but as Marjorie points out, the discomfort is a one-off for the team.
“I fully expect it will be uncomfortable and cold. I admit one night on a base of cardboard is a bit unrealistic, as we know we can go home to our nice warm houses and comfy beds afterwards.
“I think CATH is doing this to raise awareness of homelessness and also to raise some money - the charity has done a great job working with homeless and vulnerable people here in Perth for over 25 years.
“CATH stands for Church Action for the Homeless, so it’s quite appropriate that the church should be doing something.
“I did a sleepout once before in Glasgow, about 40 years ago.
“Allan Wilson is minister at Dunbarney, Forgandenny and Bridge of Earn churches. He’s a bit younger than me and so is Peter Barrett. But Jean and Isobel are older than I am, we three are all pensioners.
“Isobel is a street pastor, well used to being out on the streets at night. Jean is a member of the Iona community and I also work in the Food Bank. All of us have a heart for helping people who are vulnerable.”
Marjorie added: “I think CATH does such a wonderful job and has done for such a long time. I thought I’d raise some awareness.”
Helping at the Perth and Kinross Food Bank last week, Marjorie met a homeless man who told her he was sleeping in the Inch.
“Here am I just doing it for one night, and he’s faced with not having a home, no place to lay his head every night,” she said.
“I was under the impression everybody could get a bed in Perth, so I don’t think there’s such a number of people sleeping rough, but there are a fair number of vulnerable people, sofa surfing, staying in hostels, so they don’t have the same level of security or warmth that we have.”
Each team has a £250 target, but thanks to the Presbytery and her church, Marjorie has already raised £255. “So with another four people in our team, hopefully we can give over £1000 to give to CATH.”
To support Marjorie’s night on the paving stones, donate at https://www. justgiving.com/fundraising/marjorieclark
St Matthew’s church elder, Marjorie Clark will join the CATH sleepout.