Thank you, Sleepouters
60 brave souls spent a chilly Friday night out in a cardboard box in February, raising funds for BCM's work with the homeless. Here's a thank you video from our Care Centre.
Vincent was one of those brave souls. He said, 'I would see rough sleepers in the city centre and it was on my heart to help them. However, over time the needs felt overwhelming and I prayed for a better way to help. So when I saw BCM's Sponsored Sleepout advertised this felt like another avenue to help the homeless in Birmingham and put my Christian faith into action. I really enjoyed taking part in the Sleepout, which I thought was well organised. I spoke to lots of people on the night and heard their different stories - some included seasons of homelessness too. It was a humbling but encouraging event to be part of, knowing that it would all go towards helping those in need. Thanks to all those who sponsored me.'
Anna Coghlan, another Sleepouter and pictured above, said, 'I took part in the Sleepout to raise money for the work of the Care Centre. Having grown up in and around Birmingham, seeing homeless men and women in the city is always heartbreaking. Taking part in the Sleepout was the most realistic way for me to help. The experience was really humbling and absolutely freezing! It helped me understand a bit about the very real struggle for so many people just to survive. I left feeling grateful and saddened.'
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Thank you too to the Lord Mayor of Birmingham who came to meet and greet all our participants, and to volunteer helpers on the night - in particular a team from Asda Perry Barr who also brought along the cakes, English breakfast ingredients and everything else needed to keep people warm and well fed.
