Fundraisers to spend three nights on Bradford streets (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Fundraisers to spend three nights on Bradford streets

6:45pm Thursday 3rd December 2009 in

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More than 100 people are expected to camp under the arches by Forster Square station to raise awareness of homelessness in Bradford.

The Street Sleep, which started tonight, is being run by Bradford-based Christian charity Walking Free.

About 30 volunteers from the organisation will brave low temperatures and heavy rain each night along with representatives from churches, local businesses, members of the public and people sleeping rough.

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

Juli Thompson, Walking Free’s events organiser, said: “It’s to raise awareness of homelessness in Bradford and the many people who die from drug-related issues. They are all someone’s son, daughter, father or mother. There’s a real community spirit, people often pass us and come back with things to help like scarves and gloves.”

The Street Sleep will end on Saturday with a ‘banquet’ at the Abundant Life Centre in Wapping Road where showers, makeovers, hair cuts and clothes will be provided.

Walking Free, which came to Bradford two years ago, holds recovery groups, life coaching sessions and reading and writing classes at a community centre in Heap Lane. The charity will provide meals there for people sleeping rough on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Miss Thompson said: “Our premises are desperately in need of repair. We are appealing for money for repairs or somewhere else we can meet that has a big kitchen and can seat at least 150 people.”

The charity is creating a patchwork quilt during the Street Sleep to commemorate people who have died from an addiction.

To add a patch for a loved one or for more information about Walking Free e-mail contact@walkingfree.org or call 07833 450482.