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On Friday 23rd November I will be sleeping out under the stars at Ewood Park to raise awareness and money to support Nightsafe, a charity that helps the homeless in the Blackburn and Darwen area.

Homelessness is a huge problem in the North-West. It is easy to walk past people sitting on the street in their struggle for food and shelter and dismiss their suffering. Most of us can't comprehend what it is like not to come home at night for a meal, glass of vino, family time and an episode of whatever is current.

There have been three occasions in my life when I have been without a home, one of which was when I was pregnant with my daughter. I was fortunate enough to find a route to shelter on all three occasions. However the stress I went through on each occasion is something that has had a lasting impact on me. Through my experiences I have some insight into how much emotional and physical stress being without a home brings to a person. I want to endorse and support the work of charities who help people in need who are without the comforts of a home, those comforts that we all need.

I was born and brought up in Darwen and thanks to my dear Dad who I lost nearly three years ago I have always been a passionate Blackburn Rovers fan. It is great to see the football club supporting a cause like this and trying to make a difference. I now live in Manchester and work for the Co-op. Homelessness is visible everywhere in Manchester and impossible to ignore. It seems to me to be worse affected than London, where I lived for most of my 20s. I feel very lucky to work for the Co-op as it's a company who cares about supporting the vulnerable. The Co-op is proactively endorsing me as I undertake this challenge and I will be joined by several of my colleagues.