Fans raise £50k sleeping rough
TOWN fans who spent a night sleeping rough have raised a massive £50,000 for charities that help the homeless.
Last month around 200 people braved the cold for Huddersfield Town’s second Big Sleep Out.
Organised by the club’s charity, the Town Foundation, more than £50,000 was raised.
Fans, business supporters and sponsors slept in the Britannia Rescue Stand at the John Smith’s Stadium, the night before the Bournemouth game, bedding down on cardboard between the seats.
It came after a hugely successful first event which raised £55,000 with all monies going to Huddersfield Mission, the Welcome Centre, Batley Care & Drop-in, One Big Family, Batley Foodbank, Dewsbury Baptist Church and Winter Warmers.
Paul Bridges, from the Mission in Huddersfield town centre, said: “The support from Huddersfield Town fans through the Town Foundation has enabled Huddersfield Mission to continue its work supporting people in the heart of Huddersfield. In 2018, our advice team supported over 900 different people providing over 6,000 individual support sessions, including supporting people who were homeless or had significant mental health issues or were vulnerable in some other way.
“We always look to support people’s immediate needs as well as long-term or underlying issues.
“So, as well as our advice and support service, we provide lowcost food in our cafe, free food every evening during the winter months and a range of activity groups to boost self-esteem and confidence.”
John Trevenna, of Batley Care & Drop In, added: “The money kindly donated from the 2018 Sleep Out to ‘Batley Care and Drop-In’ was used to purchase a freezer, for the storage of food for meals which we provide, and also a computer for the use of our clients.
“Many clients have to do their benefit responses online, and having a computer at the Drop-In, and a volunteer who can help instruct clients in its use, is a great help.”