SK SLEEPOUT!! Stockport's first ever sleepout to raise awareness and funds!

linzie hogan is raising money for Chelwood Foodbank Plus (Stockport)

Participants: Patricia Topping, Michelle Burke, Edward Leavy, Stacey Evans, Philip Mately, Jennifer Travis, John Hodkinson, Val Hodkinson, Stephen Hough, Luke Chappell, Simon Twist

Story

There is a growing increase in homelessness in Stockport. We need to dispel the stereotypical attitude about homelessness.

Individuals can arrive at the point of homelessness after a long chain of life events but the most common reason people give for losing their homes is because of relationship breakdowns.

It is not a problem assigned only to alcoholics and solvent users - it affects so many of us!! Women (and men) escaping domestic violence, sofa surfers(staying on friends sofas) due to house repossessions, and in my case - private landlords selling property from under tenants with minimum notice and rentals not being realistically affordable & there being a distinct lack of social housing!

Other scenarios are working and middle class folk falling on hard or unexpected times with no emergency savings to see them through . Ex service people that have fought for our country and receive no support upon return.

Chelwood Foodbank Plus's homeless project (Loaves & Fishes) provide hot meals, emergency take away food parcels, tents, sleeping bags, warm clothing, underwear & toiletries. They demonstrate such compassion and offer a friendly ear to all that needs them. Unfortunately, they need funds to carry on this amazing work!

In this day and age NOBODY should find themselves homeless or hungry. This is Great Britain for crying out loud, one of the richest countries in the world - how can the government allow this to happen to it's people??!