YOUNGSTERS from a church youth group braved a night in the cold to raise awareness and funds for Rugby’s homeless.
Children as young as eight from St Mark’s Church in Bilton spent the night on a hard cold floor inside the church to highlight the situation of homelessness in Rugby and beyond.
It was also an opportunity for the church to educate them about the causes of homelessness and the help the homeless receive from charities like Hope 4.
It began with a brazier pallet fire in the churchyard and a talk from Stan Bird of Hope 4.
The 16 kids then headed into the church to build sleeping shelters out of cardboard they had collected.
A shared breakfast and warm mug of hot chocolate was much appreciated in the morning.
The following Sunday services included video and pictures of the event, and donations were taken for the Hope 4 winter shelter.
Rev Jonathan Smith said: “It felt great to see everyone come together as representatives of our whole church community to highlight this topical and dreadful modern-day problem.
“The event also gave us the chance to support a worthy charity like Hope 4. From the youngest of our children to our teenagers and older leaders, there was a sense and spirit of togetherness which covered the whole event.”
Hope 4 runs the Hope Centre, Winter Night Shelters and Rugby Foodbank – and always accepts financial donations and new volunteers. Visit www.hope4.me.uk for more information.
