Housing workers sleep out to help homeless people

Big hearted housing workers from Russet and Invicta Telecare have raised more than £2,000 for a homelessness charity by sleeping out in freezing temperatures.

The hardy bunch of 21 employees from the Circle group’s Kent-based housing and care organisations gathered cash pledges from generous colleagues, family and friends, and took part in homelessness charity, Shelter’s Rough Sleep Challenge.

They bedded down overnight in the car park of Russet’s main office at Basted House, in Sevenoaks, Kent, equipped only with sleeping bags and cardboard boxes.

Anita IIes, head of customer services at Russet who took part: “The temperature went down to zero but we kept our spirits up by taking part in a quiz!

“It felt like a very long and cold night. For us it was just one night, some people are not lucky enough to be able to go home and get into a warm bed. It gave you a better understanding of what it must be like to have to sleep rough.”

She added: “We decided to support Shelter because of its work in tackling homelessness and because some of my colleagues have previously worked for the charity.”

Tracy Griffin, Shelter’s director of fundraising, said: “We are thrilled by this support for Shelter. Every two minutes someone faces the nightmare of losing their home. All the money raised will go towards ensuring that we can reach more people who need our help to stay in their homes.”

Russet and Invicta Telecare workers taking part in the Rough Sleep Challenge on January 27 have received pledges totaling more than £2,000.

For further information please contact James Henderson at the Circle press office on 0845 234 0824 or email pressoffice@circle.org.uk.

Last modified 07/02/12

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