Centrepoint Sleepout 2013

A cold November evening beckoned as we arrived at Beamish Museum for the third

North East Sleepout to raise funds for Centrepoint, a charity whose work is aimed at giving fresh hope and support to homeless young people.

We hosted the first Sleepout at St, Andrew's Church in 2011 (see photos), and it seems no coincidence that a brand new hostel has been opened by them in the parish.

 

So, well wrapped up on thankfully a dry night, it was time to meet old friends and renew

acquaintances with those whom we had met in previous years. Bowls of hot soup

and hot dogs provided by the museum staff to keep out the chill and so to bed; well it

was the pavements and doorways of the main street in the museum.

 

Some had gathered around a few braziers set up along the street, an image of

yesteryear, a picture of poverty and homelessness in a bygone age. Yet this was

2013 and we were told over 6000 young people would be doing what we would do,

albeit only one night for us.

 

During the evening much information was given about the work of the charity and

how we were part of a national event taking place tonight. Yet what was most

poignant was to listen to the stories of four young people whose lives had been

turned around by the charity's work. From backgrounds of hopelessness, through all

the ills of family breakdown inflicted upon some young people, to the life skills and

direction that brings hope for the future through the skills of the Centrepoint staff.

 

Not the best night's sleep I have ever had, well not much sleep at all as Ralph and I

decided to sleep on the cobbles of the stable courtyard. Emerging from our special

bags provided by the charity at 6. a.m. after an almost frosty night, bones chilled to

the core and probably a few imprints of cobbles upon our bodies it was time to go

home to the warmth and comfort we take so much for granted.

 

Thank you to all who have sponsored Dick, Ralph and myself and hopefully a bed

and a better future for some unknown young person in need. A small price to pay by

us on one cold bone chilling night in November.

 

John Pattinson

For more information about the amazing work of Centrepoint here in Sunderland and across the UK, visit http://www.centrepoint.org.uk/