Wetherby councillor braves the streets for the Big Sleep Out
Wetherby councillor to sleep out to highlight homelessness
Wetherby ward councillor Penny Stables will spend Thursday night sleeping out in the centre of Leeds to raise vital funds for Simon on the Streets and highlight the continuing issue of homelessness and rough sleeping.
On Thursday 8 October, Coun Stables will swap the comfort of a warm home and bed for a night outdoors in Leeds city centre, taking part in the Big Sleep Out in support of Simon on the Streets.
The Leeds-based charity provides vital support to people who are homeless and sleeping rough, including some of the most vulnerable people in the city.
Coun Stables said: “Everyone deserves a roof over their head and a bed to sleep in. The fact that people are still forced to sleep rough in our towns and cities makes me both angry and incredibly sad.
“We are one of the largest economies in the world. This is an issue we should have addressed many years ago, and we should not accept rough sleeping as an inevitable part of life in modern Britain.
“This Thursday, come rain or shine, I’ll be sleeping out in the centre of Leeds to raise money for Simon on the Streets and to help put the issue of rough sleeping firmly in the spotlight.
“For me, it will be one night. I’ll know that afterwards I can return to a warm house, have a hot shower and sleep in my own bed. For people sleeping rough, that simply isn’t the case.
“Simon on the Streets does brilliant work supporting people facing homelessness, and its staff and volunteers are there for people when they need help most.
“We must keep pushing for the long-term changes needed to prevent people becoming homeless in the first place.
"In the meantime, I hope people will support me this Thursday by giving whatever they can. Every donation will help Simon on the Streets continue its vital work with people who desperately need that support.”
Coun Stables is encouraging residents and supporters to donate to her Big Sleep Out fundraising effort and help Simon on the Streets continue its work across Leeds and the surrounding area.