Still time to sign up for Chippenham sleepout

1:41pm Tuesday 6th January 2009

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There is still time to sign up for the fundraising sleepout in Chippenham for Doorway, the North Wiltshire charity drop-in centre for homeless and marginalised single adults.

The charity is organising its second sponsored SleepOut on Saturday January 31 from 7pm until 7am the following morning, at St Andrew’s Churchyard, Market Place, Chippenham The SleepOut will coincide with Homelessness Sunday 2009, an annual day of prayer and action marked by over 2,000 churches in England, Scotland and Wales, highlighting the devastating effects of homelessness.

After the phenomenal success of the 2008 SleepOut, where more than £10,500 was raised, Doorway staff, volunteers and members of the community will once again be braving the great British winter weather and sleeping rough to increase awareness of homelessness in North Wiltshire and raise much needed funds for the Doorway drop-in centre.

Doorway currently needs £5,500 a month to ensure that it can remain open and continue to provide the supportive environment that the guests have come to rely on. A spokesman for the charity said: "We are assuming that, due to the current economic climate, there will be a steady increase in the numbers of local people needing our service during 2009.

"Anyone over 18 can take part in the SleepOut but pre-registration is essential, so that we know how many people will be taking part, to enable us to manage the event safely and efficiently."

Information packs, including guidelines and general information regarding the event; registration and sponsorship forms; A4 poster and A5 flyer, can be downloaded from the Doorway website via the link on the right or by telephoning Doorway on (01249) 445385.

Or you can e-mail by clicking here