Quote[/b] (pickledseal @ Dec. 04 2006,21:57)]cheers guys
it was a lot of fun... to begin with...
spirits were high, that vibe that we were all doing a really good thing and the kids I had encouraged from school were legendary- i think their keeness rubbed off on me.
we got to meet a few of the 'regular' chelmsford homeless people who were great. it was the first occasion I had properlly humanised them in a way.
we all 'bedded down' at about midnight... I had my sleeping bag, some heavy duty blackbags and a ground sheet - it wasnt due to be a cold night but there was always the chance of rain...
everything was all good till about 2am, I'd got two hours kip under the belt and then the heavens opended... now the those who were genuinely homeless jumped ship and disapeared to find some shelter - but the police had made us stay within the cathedral confines four our own safety - ie keeping us away from drunk dukes types
i wrapped myself in balck bags, covered myself in the ground sheet and hoped it would keep me dry...
around 3am and an hour of listening to the rain it started to leak in. I was determiend not to 'give in' and move inside the cathedral but i knew it was going to stop being comfrotable.
All the time I kept thinking, surely I can do this, its only one night. I know I have breakfast, a hot shower and a comfty bed at the end of the night/morning...
From 4am to 6am were possbily the most horrific, cold, wet, miserable hours of my life. Not a second of sleep, getting colder, wetter, shivering, muddier and so on.
I got up at 6.30am being filmed by local TV news, I must have looked like sh!t and I honestly wanted to cry. I went to see how all the kids were doing, they were in suprisingly good spirits... albiet just as cold and wet as me!
We all sat round having breakfast the next day talking about the hot showers, warm clothes etc we had waiting at home before realising those who are less fortunate at us would have to dry themselves on the streets of chelmsford, without knowing there would be warm food or drink and then do it all again and again....
anyway, i went along to encourage and spur on the my students. the 9 of them raised a hell of a lot of money and a great deal of awareness. I'm sure if you were speaking to them now, they would be telling you a similar tale (and probablly more aticulately!)
its going to be a long ol' christmas and new year for those living on the streets. if you can, do something to help.
I've already signed up to help with the set up of the CRISIS shelter in london. its not a lot but it will make a little difference...
