The Mayor of St Albans City and District Council, Councillor Aislinn Lee and Mayoress Rose Bennett will be spending a sponsored night out under the stars at St Albans Abbey on Friday 2 December 2011   This is the 18th annual Abbey Sleep Out, and its aim is to raise awareness of homelessness and to raise funds for local charities.

The Mayor is Patron of two St Albans homelessness charities: Open Door - St Albans and Centre 33.  She and the Mayoress are inviting sponsorship in aid of these charities. 

Open Door is a homelessness service (night shelter and daytime drop-in) in Bricket Road, open every day of the year, which works with some of the most vulnerable people in our society.  The Service regularly gives accommodation to up to 12 people each night, and provides them with a hot meal.  The drop-in offers support and advice, including on housing and health issues.

Centre 33 is a daytime drop-in service in Spicer Street, open seven days a week and run entirely by volunteers, where homeless and disadvantaged people can come to relax, be social, and enjoy a free meal and a hot drink in a friendly, welcoming environment.

All the money raised by the Mayoralty of St Albans at this year’s Sleep Out will be shared equally between these two charities.  

Open Door - St Albans has kindly offered to administer the funds on behalf of the Mayoralty, but donors should note that any donations made, via this page or otherwise, will be shared equally between Open Door and Centre 33.