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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">This Friday (2 of December), I will be participating in the <strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sleepout</strong> at Southwark Cathedral in aid of <strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Robes</strong>, the only ecumenical winter night shelter project south of the river in London. </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">On the night there will be entertainment from comedian Jo Brand at 9pm, Compline at 9.45pm and time to socialise over refreshments before I bed down in the Cathedral’s grounds to spend a night under the stars.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The aim of the Sleepout is to raise awareness of homelessness and to raise funds for Robes, which is a wonderful charity dedicated to helping homeless people. By spending a sponsored night outdoors, I will be helping a rough-sleeper to access short-term aid and long-term support in finding stable accommodation, training and employment. More information about Robes can be found on their website: </span><a href="http://www.robes.org.uk/"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">www.robes.org.uk</span></a></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">The Robes project has been running for 5 years now, offering a bed for the night and counselling and advice to guests in Southwark and surrounding areas. This year, over 300 volunteers will provide food, shelter, advice and support for over 70 people sleeping rough in 19 different venues in South London every winter night. </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">However, it costs <strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">£85,000</strong> for Robes to operate between November and March. They receive no public or regular funding and rely solely on donations from churches, individuals and businesses. They currently need to find money to cover this year’s work, so please give generously.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Your money could buy… </span></span></strong></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">£120 - An evening meal, overnight stay and breakfast for 15 guests </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">£30 - A new camp bed for a guest</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">£15 - A new sleeping bag </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">£5 - An evening meal for one guest</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">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.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">So please dig deep and donate now.</span></p>