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24/10/2017

Sleeping Rough & A Free Pattern!


On Friday 13th October myself, an a few other members of The Merseyside Etsy Team, slept rough in an old graveyard in a church on the outskirts of Liverpool city centre. 



The reason? To raise money for a local homeless charity: The Whitechapel Centre.

Now I've never done anything like this before; I have not even been camping! It was definitely an experience that I wont forget in a hurry & I think its something that if you have the opportunity to experience, you should.

Now its not camping. There are no tents; you built your own shelter out of cardboard, no stoves, no alcohol, no campfires etc. Its you & what you can carry.





You would be surprised at how much stuff you take with you for one night.

I had:
  • sleeping mat
  • sleeping bag
  • headlamp
  • blanket
  • waterproof coat
  • cardboard
  • flask of coffee
  • extra socks
  • extra leggings
  • extra jumpers
  • food
  • hat
  • gloves (2 pairs)
  • scarf
It actually was not too physically difficult. Yeah the ground was hard & we worried that the shelter would not stay put (some peoples didn't) but the weather was unseasonably warm. We all still had our mobile phones on us with 4G so totally contactable. 

The biggest thing that keeps you "ok" to do something like this is the psychological difference between us & people who are actually homeless - we knew we could go home. 

We knew that although we'd had no sleep, it was uncomfortable & it was a bit cold around 4am, we knew at the end there was a warm meal, a hot bath & a comfortable bed somewhere secure with our names on it. 

The psychological aspect is what stays with you afterwards. It was mentally draining. You get no sleep as every little noise disturbs you as you are very aware that you are exposed.

When I got home the first thing I did was slide into bed; it was 7.30am & I was in the day job for 12. I have been complaining about being broke & wanting a new mattress for a few months now but not anymore. I do not think I have ever felt so comfortable in my entire life. I am so grateful for everything I have including food, hot showers & the ability to pop the kettle on whenever.

The following Friday night storm Brian hit. It was very cold, windy & raining heavily & whilst sat on my couch, under the duvet, with a hot coffee I felt guilty as I was grateful that the weather had not been like that the week before.

I personally set myself a goal of raising £150 & I raised £274.78. 
As a collective (The Merseyside Etsy Team members who slept out) we raised £1310.13

Overall - from everyone who slept out - £37,718 has been raised.

The biggest thank you to everyone who donated.

Donations are still being taken until 11th November. You can read more about The Whitechapel Centre's amazing work here.

We spent the evening knitting, being a crafty group & all. I have designed a very simple pattern for knitted or crochet 'paper' chains which we are donating to The Whitechapel for Christmas.

If you would like to get involved you can see the pattern here.

We are collecting them together around 11th November so I'll post more info on my Facebook page & on the next blog post.