I'm sleeping rough in the multi-story car park at The Mall Luton because on any one given night across this county people are having to bed down in doorways, tents and unsafe buildings. Visible rough sleeping across our region is thankfully decreasing, with an estimated 51 people in Bedford (from 76 in 2017), 47 in Luton (from 87 in 2017), and 17 in Central Bedfordshire (up from 13 in 2017) - although these figures do not take into account the hidden homeless. 

It really is challenging. This was my bed last year, covered in a light dusting of snow with below freezing temperatures. I was lucky enough to be able to return to a warm house in the morning. 

All of the money raised is ring-fenced to go directly to support individuals to move on with their lives when they leave our projects or to help them into work or education. This maybe to purchase a bed and kitchen essentials, a laptop to enable study or a bike to get to work. 

115 rough sleepers in Bedfordshire is still too many! If you want to be part of the solution, you can either sign up to join me for the night or sponsor me and help me hit my £500 target. 

Thank you

Caroline