The director of a Wellingborough transit packaging company will be braving freezing temperatures for an all-night sleep out later this week.
Patrick Mulhall, Managing Director of PALLITE®, based in Sinclair Drive, Park Farm North, is hoping to raise more than £1,000 as well as awareness of what life is like for the homeless.
e has been sponsored to swap the comfort of a warm bed for a night with just cardboard to sleep on, a sleeping bag for warmth, and a plastic sheet for shelter from the winter elements.
The Big Sleep Out on Friday, January 26, has been organised by the Northampton Hope Centre. It aims to raise awareness of homelessness and the work the centre does to support people, especially during the cold months.
Patrick will join 174 other people at a specially designated area at Sixfields Stadium, home of Northampton Town Football Club, for the 12-hour stint from 7:30pm to 7:30am the next day.
Tanya Haji-Miller, community fundraiser, at Northampton Hope Centre, said: People sign up to take part in The Big Sleep out to raise money for the centre and awareness of homelessness. The event has been running for six years and last year we raised our best total yet £60,000.
The funds raised go back into the work of the shelter to provide items to help the homeless. We provide showers and a warm place to visit and enjoy a hot drink. We can also provide training opportunities and some people eventually go on to gain volunteer work and jobs.
Patrick said: I dont think sleeping out for one night will be too hard as I have the comfort of knowing that Ill be back in a warm bed the following evening. It is a worthy cause and an important issue which people need to know more about.
Last year 172 sleepers raised a total of £60,000.
Anyone wanting to sponsor Paddy can do so by https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/patrick-mulhall2