Getting set for the big Homeless sleep out

THE Drogheda Homeless Aid annual Sleep Out will be held on Saturday 9th December, where 20 hardy individuals will sleep out on West Street to support Drogheda Homeless Aid’s work.

According to Drogheda Homeless Aid’s Manager, Maureen Ward “This is an important event to raise awareness as to the existence of homelessness in the county. The Sleep Out is also for raising much-needed funds to support the work of Drogheda Homeless Aid at a time of crisis.

‘ The image of homelessness that some people have unfortunately is that it is a phenomenon confined to Dublin; but it is a reality here in Louth and the problem is not going away. Drogheda Homeless Aid supported 120 individuals in their emergency accommodation facility in the past year.

‘All of those residing in Drogheda Homeless Aid get resettlement support to help them back towards independent living and is one of the most important aspects of the work that we do in endeavouring to break the cycle of homelessness.”

Maureen also stated that she is delighted that the Drogheda Chamber President, Paddy Callaghan also of Nature’s Best is doing the Sleep Out on 9th December. He will be joined by Fr. Barry Matthews and other business people, including Dave Kavanagh of Financial Companion, as well as teachers from a number of local secondary schools, all of whom are keen to support the work of Drogheda Homeless Aid and wish to highlight homelessness in the community and the complexity of the issues which often lie behind homelessness.

State Street is also backing the Sleep Out, several of their employees are participating in the event and the company is to match any funding they raise as part of their corporate social responsibility.