WHILE most of us tucked into our chocolate eggs over Easter, one hardy bunch was braving the elements in the heart of Newtownards – for charity.
Several locals, including councillor Peter Martin, camped out in Conway Square over Saturday night (March 30), raising money for and awareness of homeless military veterans across the UK.
They were joining in with the Royal British Legion’s ‘Great Tommy Sleep Out’, a fundraising challenge that ran across the UK during March in support of ex-service personnel who find themselves without a roof over their head.
Donning sleeping bags and constructing makeshift shelters from cardboard boxes, the determined volunteers spent the night under the stars and streetlights.
“I suppose you don’t often hear of politicians sleeping on the streets in cardboard boxes,” said Mr Martin, “but when I heard what the cause was, I simply said absolutely.
“I would admit it was a cramped, rather cold and uncomfortable night, but honestly nothing compared to some of our homeless veterans who have to endure it every single night of the year.
“I was very impressed by the attitude, character and resilience of the volunteers I met that night, for whom remembrance is literally an all-year activity.”
Jake Mahaffy, Newtownards treasurer for the British Legion, stated that veterans ‘struggle silently all year round, and are frankly forgotten about until November’ – sparking the new charity campaign.
“We would like to thank everyone who took part, Mayor Jennifer Gilmour for coming down to visit us, and the many people who came over to chat with us and made a donation,” he said.
“If anyone would like to help, they can join their local Royal British Legion and show the men and women who gave up so much that we will never forget about them; donations are also still possible through our JustGiving link.”
Donations can be given at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/TGTSONewtownards
THOSE who took part in and supported the ‘sleep out’ have been congratulated by Strangford MP Jim Shannon.
He said: “I have dealt with so many cases of this in my office and more must be done centrally by the Government to address this.”
The MP added: “Operation Fortitude was an initiative set up by the Office for Veterans Affairs to speed up access to emergency accommodation across the UK and it is so important that homeless veterans in Northern Ireland are not left behind. The local group are so close to reaching their £1,000 target and I would encourage everyone to be supportive of this fantastic fundraiser.”
