Blochairn director sleeps rough for the homeless

Rough NightBlochairn Housing Association director, Michael Carberry, joined 40 other volunteers to sleep rough last month to raise funds to help vulnerable, homeless people in Glasgow.

Held by the Marie Trust, the ‘sleep rough night’ took place in Skypark’s car park with every penny raised helping to maintain the charity’s Vital Day Centre services to help disadvantaged people in Glasgow.

The charity provides crisis intervention for people sleeping rough in the city - including showers, toiletries, clothing, food and sleeping bags.

Michael said: “Thanks to everyone who has donated to the Rough Night fund. Your generosity has been overwhelming. You have helped me to raise £2,004.88, so far. I slept in a car park in Finnieston, though I didn’t really sleep much. There was too much light and noise (from a generator).

“I thought I was OK but, around 8am, I felt sick and dizzy. I was able to go home to a comfortable bed. So, it wasn’t a great hardship. But it made me think more than ever how it must be for those who are homeless and sleeping rough. It’s impossible to sleep at night. They snatch what rest they can during the day when it’s safer. The fear, loneliness and desperation faced by rough sleepers is beyond the comprehension of most of us who are comfortably off.

“The donation page is still open at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MichaelCarberry. Any donation, large or small, will be gratefully received. All money raised will go to the Marie Trust, a Glasgow based homelessness charity who organised the Rough Night event. These folk do an amazing job. It’s been humbling to be able to contribute in a small way.

“Thank you again to everyone who has helped to raise this money with me.”

To date the event has raised over £12,000.

‘Sleep Rough Night’ at Skypark raises £12k for Glasgow’s Homeless Back row left to right: Tom Fallon, with Angela Robertson, Amy Graham and Thomas Ross Front row left to right: Lauren Sallows, Catherine Lavery of The Marie Trust, and Jenna McGhie
‘Sleep Rough Night’ at Skypark raises £12k for Glasgow’s Homeless
Back row left to right: Tom Fallon, with Angela Robertson, Amy Graham and Thomas Ross
Front row left to right: Lauren Sallows, Catherine Lavery of The Marie Trust, and Jenna McGhie

Catherine Lavery, fundraiser for The Marie Trust, said: “We are delighted and grateful to all of our participants as we smashed our £4k target and raised £12k on the night. Thanks to Skypark for donating the car park and to McDonalds (Finnieston) for supporting the event. It is a lonely and dangerous life for Glasgow’s homeless and The Marie Trust believes everyone has the right to a better life. The funds will make a difference to vulnerable people living rough in the city.”

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