Colne charity manager to spend five nights sleeping rough to raise awareness of homelessness

The manager of a Colne charity is giving up the comforts of home to spend five days and nights outside to raise awareness of homelessness and vital funds for the centre.

Nick Alderson, manager of Colne Open Door Centre, will take on the challenge from Monday, November 9, to Friday, November 13, relying entirely on the charity for food, washing facilities, electricity and somewhere warm to sit during the day.

But when the centre closes each evening, Nick will be left outside overnight, without access to a warm bed, shower or the building until it reopens the following morning.

He will be joined by Gregg Stevenson MBE, Rachel Pickard, Shaun Grant, Patrick Macadam and the charity's chair of trustees, Wez Evans, who will each spend a night outside in support of the fundraiser.

Nick hopes the challenge will highlight some of the difficulties faced by people experiencing homelessness, while raising money to support the centre's wider work in the community.

He said: "Of course, five days and nights can never truly replicate the reality of homelessness, but hopefully this challenge will help shine a light on the difficulties faced by those who find themselves without a home."

Colne Open Door Centre provides a range of services for people facing difficult circumstances, including free counselling, crisis support, food parcels, community meals and peer support groups.

The charity helps people experiencing homelessness, families struggling with the cost of living, those dealing with mental health difficulties and anyone in need of a safe and welcoming place to turn.

Nick said the fundraiser was about much more than homelessness, with donations helping to keep these services available to vulnerable people across the community.

He said: "Open Door is often the place people turn to when life becomes incredibly difficult. Whether that's someone facing homelessness, a family struggling to put food on the table, an individual experiencing poor mental health, or somebody who simply needs a friendly face and somewhere to feel safe, our doors are open to them.

"But the reality is that none of this happens without fundraising.

"Events like this are absolutely vital in allowing us to continue providing the services that so many individuals, families and indeed professionals have come to rely upon."

Nick is now appealing to local businesses, organisations and residents to support the challenge, whether by making a donation or helping spread the word.

He added: "Ultimately, this challenge is about ensuring that Colne Open Door Centre can continue being there for people when they need us most."

Anyone wishing to support the fundraiser can donate at www.justgiving.com/page/homelesschallenge.