Lord Mayor launches Oxford Sleep-Out (From The Oxford Times)
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Lord Mayor launches Oxford Sleep-Out
5:09pm Wednesday 9th September 2009 in News By Andrew Ffrench
Mary Clarkson
OXFORD’s Lord Mayor Mary Clarkson has launched the city’s annual sleep-out for the homeless — but admitted the cold might put her off taking part.
More than 100 people are expected to brave the weather on Saturday, November 14, and help raise money for local charities that work with homeless people.
Mrs Clarkson helped to launch the event in Bonn Square in the city centre on Tuesday.
She said: “I know previous Lord Mayors have taken part in the sleep-out, but I’m undecided at the moment — I don’t even like camping.”
People can donate £20 even if they do not take part in the sleep-out and Mrs Clarkson added: “It seems a bit of a cheek to just pay £20 to sleep in your own bed, but every little bit helps this good cause.
“It’s going to be cold in November and at the moment I’m dithering about it.”
The Oxford Sleep-Out was launched in 1995, and over the past 13 years has raised over £200,000, which has been divided between local charities to help their work with homeless people, providing shelter and housing advice.
This year’s sleep-out is being held in St Clement’s churchyard in Marston Road.
Lesley Dewhurst, director of the Night Shelter, said: “It’s not easy to sleep out all night so we really appreciate the efforts people go to. The sleep-out is a great way of making people aware of homelessness issues in the city, and raises important funds for homelessness agencies in Oxford.
“For young people in particular, this is a great way of making them aware of the issues that homeless people face on a day-to-day basis.
“Even if people cannot make it along on the night they can pay £20 to sleep in their own bed.
“We would urge them to sign up because the money is well used by the participating agencies.”
To donate to the Oxford Sleep-out, send your cheques to The Oxford Sleep Out, c/o The Oxford Night Shelter, PO Box 177, Luther Street, Oxford, OX1 1SF.
affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk You can also donate via the Just Giving website justgiving.com/oxford-sleep-out.
To find out more, visit oxfordsleepout.moonfruit.com or email victoriasleepout@gmail.com
Comments(3)
Grundon Skipp
says...
5:52pm Thu 10 Sep 09
Niko Bellic
says...
11:11am Fri 11 Sep 09
Surely this should start somewhere near Manchester, travelling down to either London or Oxford to make use of the better night shelters on offer.
Perhaps a mid afternoon session in begging, with the excuse of getting into the night shelter but with the real purpose of getting a fair bit of cash together to pay for heroin (this is true in the majority of begging cases, so please dont get all PC and argue).
Walking a shared dog to increase publics sympathy and thus increase begging income. Again, this is actually fact. Ever seen that big white scruffy dog in Oxford? Looks a bit like the Dulux dog but dirtier? This dog is shared between some of the local homeless drug users.
Then finish with a bed to sleep in and a cup of soup. Perhaps some beer purchased with the left over income from begging earlier in the day.
Why dont the council employ the homeless army, who have migrated from across the country to reach Oxford (because of the night shelter), to pick up the extra litter that we see after a Friday or Saturday night, or in the Summer when its spills out of our overflowing bins? Would solve the litter problem and the unemployment issue in one go. Surely there cant be a reason for these people to refuse the jobs? From there they can go on to working towards getting into social housing and improving their standard of life.
Good idea or no?
wallingford1 says...
11:51am Thu 10 Sep 09
One night. One night to show support for the homeless in Oxford. But no, it might get a bit cold so i'll just stay in my nice warm house and wish them well. Brilliant. Well done.
"I don’t even like camping"
And i'm sure most of the people who have no other choice than to sleep on the streets don't like camping either.
Nice when what appears to be a self-publicizing "stunt" shows peoples true colours. Well done Mayor Clarkson.