Mears and Mcdonald to sleep out

Lee Mears and Tarquin Mcdonald will sleep under the stars as part of Bath Rugby Foundation’s Rec Sleep Out next month.

More than 40 fundraisers have already signed up to take part overnight on Wednesday, November 7, and raise money and awareness of youth homelessness.

Money raised will boost the Foundation and Julian House, which supports homeless people here in Bath.

Bath Rugby Foundation works with more than 2,000 children and young people annually and staff are increasingly aware that more and more of the participants on the charity’s programmes do not have the security of a permanent home and find themselves sofa-surfing or moving between different types of temporary accommodation.

Bath Rugby CEO Mr Mcdonald said: “Bath is our home, our community, and right now it’s suffering from a real hidden homelessness crisis and it is young people being hit the hardest.

“We believe that all young people should have the opportunity for a bright future and right now, on our doorstep, that isn’t the case.

“This is about coming together to tell this story and to raise much needed funds to help tackle some of the core issues that lead to homelessness.”

Businesses and individuals in Bath have been challenged to join Bath Rugby and Bath Rugby Foundation staff and spend a night out in the cold to help tackle the issue.

Former Bath and England hooker Mears has signed up.

Bath Rugby Foundation chief executive Lynne Fernquest said: “The Rec Sleep Out is simple. We are calling on B&NES businesses and their staff to forgo the comfort of their beds for one night in favour of a sleeping bag on a cold, concrete floor.

“Our objective is to raise awareness of the challenges that vulnerable young people in our community face, while raising much-needed funds for Bath Rugby Foundation and Julian House.”

To sponsor Tarquin, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/tarquinmcdonald1

Sign up to take part in the Rec Sleep Out at ssl.cow-parsley.co.uk/brf/.