Chichester MP Gillian Keegan slept out at London’s Kia Oval cricket ground in support of homelessness charity Depaul.
Mrs Keegan took part in the charity’s annual Sleepout on Wednesday, 10 October – World Homeless Day – to raise funds and awareness for its vital prevention services which ensure young people don’t end up sleeping on the streets.
The Chichester MP said: “No young person should sleep rough. This is an issue I am very passionate about: my grandparents found themselves in temporary accommodation after the war until they were given their first council house. Depaul do amazing work to help young people in a time of crisis, as well as preventing others from becoming homeless in the first place, so it was great to support this wonderful charity”
Depaul’s services help homeless young people at every stage of their journey, from immediate emergency accommodation through the Nightstop UK network to longer-term supported housing and pathways to training and employment.
Depaul UK CEO Mike Thiedke said: “Depaul Sleepout is a powerful event which changes perceptions about people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Giving up the comfort of your bed to help people who are marginalised and living in isolation is a humbling, valuable and memorable experience.
“We’re very grateful to Gillian Keegan for taking part in Depaul Sleepout and helping us to end homelessness once and for all.”
Over the past four years, Depaul has persuaded chief executives, MPs and Peers to sleep out to raise funds for its work in prestigious venues – including Wembley Stadium, Lord’s Cricket Ground, and Somerset House.
The evening included two performances by singer J Cocoa, who is a young person supported by Depaul, a charity auction for cardboard boxes in which to sleep for the night, and a soup dinner.
World Homeless Day educates people about homeless issues, celebrates and supports local good works, and highlights local homelessness issues.
