Six North East lecturers – including two ex-military personnel and an Army reservist - swapped their warm beds for a cold floor and sleeping bags to raise vital funds for homeless veterans.
The group from the University of Sunderland took part in the Great Tommy Sleep Out challenge, where participants sleep outside for one night during the month of March to raise money for the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI).
RBLI, which is a separate charity to the Royal British Legion, provides a home to more than 300 veterans and their families through their Kent village as well as providing employment and welfare support.
The lecturers, from the University of Sunderland’s School of Nursing and Health Sciences, played their part in tackling veteran homelessness by sleeping out at the University’s City Campus.
Senior Lecturer and RAF veteran Ian Slaughter, who took part in the sleep-out, said: “We felt that sleeping out for one night was a small sacrifice to make to help those veterans who face homelessness long term. We also recognise that those homeless veterans could be those we have served with at home and on deployment.
“The night temperature was on the chilly side – but we are fortunate we can avoid the bitter cold nights that we all know Sunderland can have.”
Most read:
- North East museum in 'serious state of decline' is awarded £3m for repairs
- Why there are plans to demolish more buildings at this North East industrial estate
- Durham 24-year-old shocked as 30cm cyst turns out to be ovarian cancer
So far, the group has raised more than £2,000, smashing their £150 target.
Donations can still be made by visiting: https://www.justgiving.com/team/oldgreymatters
For more information on how the University of Sunderland supports the Armed Forces and veterans, visit https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/help/armed-forces-support/
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel