Bradford bid to raise awareness (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bradford bid to raise awareness

11:10pm Saturday 4th July 2009 in

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More than 100 people are expected to sleep under the arches at Forster Square railway station this week to raise awareness of homelessness and drug addiction in Bradford.

The Street Sleep, from Thursday to Saturday, is part of Making Addiction History, an event run by Christian charity Walking Free.

A similar event in December saw more than 120 people camp out at the station over three nights, raising £1,700 for the charity, helping it to provide accommodation and food for people sleeping rough in the city.

John Edwards, who founded Walking Free in 1993, said: “We want to raise awareness of homelessness and addiction in Bradford. That’s why we are going to live with people on the streets for three days. We also want people to remember homeless people who have died.”

The Street Sleep will include an area for contemplation and an open-air memorial service will be held on Friday at 7.30pm.

Walking Free, which came to Bradford two years ago, holds recovery groups, life coaching sessions and reading and writing classes at Pollard Park Evangelical Church.

The charity also provides meals for homeless people and visits schools and prisons to talk about the dangers of drug addiction.

Funds from Making Addiction History will go towards a new building for the charity as their current base is in need of repair.

Mr Edwards, himself a former addict, said: “Bradford is the city where we’ve chosen to do something huge and make a difference.

“We love this city and we desperately want to make a difference. We’re here for the long haul.

“It’s not just about the addicts but also about the families, as up to 70 per cent of society is affected by addiction of some sort.”

Walking Free also runs a choir and band made up of people who are recovered or recovering from addictions, homelessness, prostitution and abuse.

The choir and band will perform at Bradford Cathedral on Saturday where members will also share some of their life stories.

According to Bradford and Airedale Primary Care Trust, there are currently 3,473 people receiving treatment for drug abuse in the Bradford district.

The Bradford drug treatment advice and information helpline can be reached on 0845 0508465.