Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.  Those of you who know me fairly well will know I've spent the last couple of summers volunteering at Positive Action in Housing, and hopefully in that time I've been able to impress on you the vital importance of the work they do (hopefully without being preachy).  For those who are unfamiliar, a bit of background...

Positive Action in Housing works with refugees, asylum seekers, ethnic minorities and new migrants, working against racsim, discrimination and homelessness and for fairness and equality in the social housing sector and in the systems of asylum and immigration.

This particular fundraising effort is for the Hardship Fund, which works to provide shelter and support to those who have been left homeless and destitute by the flaws and inhumanity of the asylum system.  It gives a breathing space during which people can find a lawyer, lodge fresh evidence or seek a judicial review of bad asylum decisions, which are becoming more comon under the "fast track" system. The project provides a small amount of money for food and arranges free, temporary shelter for the most vulnerable, including families, pregnant women, the elderly and those with mental health problems.  Destitution is prolonged and severe, and happens to those who are excluded from any and all public funds; because of this, the fund relies entirely on the generosity and humanity of individual and private donors.  This generosity goes directly to those who need it most.

Positive Action in Housing now gives out £2,000 a month in hardship funds raised from donations to destitute asylum seekers and their families.The goal of the sleepout is to raise £24,000 - a year's worth of money; my personal target is £1000.  That's why i'm going to sleep out for one night in Glasgow on 6 October; to help people who have nothing else turn things around with the support of good legal advice and practical support.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.