March 16, 2019 11.40 am This story is over 59 months old

Donations soar: 90 brave the cold for new homeless shelter

Well done to all who took part!

More than 90 brave fundraisers spent the night in the bitter cold and wind to raise money for a new homeless shelter in Lincoln.

The 10th annual Sleep Easy event took place outside the Cathedral on Friday, March 15, hosted by YMCA Lincolnshire.

Sponsored sleepers have so far raised a whopping £19,000.

You can still donate to the cause via the just giving link here.

All funds will go towards building an all-purpose day facility and emergency overnight accommodation for the homeless in Lincoln.

Adam Winfield, who slept out all night, said: “It was so hard to sleep because of the noise.

Through the Lens Photography by Adam Winfield

“It rained for a long time and along with the damp comes the cold. I just about held out under a thin layer of plastic. I’m so grateful this just for one night, I can’t imagine doing the same night after night.”

Julia Woodthorpe explained why she signed up to take part.

She said: “I worked in an NHS/Probation service partnership as a Nurse Practitioner for ten years and our work included clients from Nomad and YMCA.

Photo: Sean Strange for The Lincolnite

Photo: Sean Strange for The Lincolnite

Photo: Sean Strange for The Lincolnite

Photo: Sean Strange for The Lincolnite

Photo: Sean Strange for The Lincolnite

“There is no such thing as the poor or homeless who ‘deserve it’. You have to work out the root causes and that’s what needs tackling. I will always do what I can to help.”

Caroline Killeavy, Chief Executive at YMCA Lincolnshire, said: “Our 10th Sleep Easy, which comes in YMCA Lincolnshire’s anniversary year, has been the biggest and most successful event yet.

“There is always an amazing show of support from our local community and this year is no different. On behalf of everyone at YMCA Lincolnshire and Nomad I would like to thank everyone who took part, volunteered and donated time and money at this year’s Sleep Easy.”

For more information about YMCA Lincolnshire or the Nomad project, email [email protected].