Cubs' rough sleep fund-raiser

The hardy 5th Tyldesley Cubs raised £787 for the Atherton and Leigh Shelter for HoPe by holding the overnight event at their scout hut on Shuttle Street.

The generous youngsters were inspired to help the night shelter, which is based in Leigh, after leaders David Simpson and John Worrall took part in their own outdoor sleepover for the charity in the middle of Atherton.

The Cubs also heard from night shelter founder Warren Done, who returned to the group to receive the cheque, about the reality of living on the streets.

In total 36 Cubs spent the night in the cardboard shelters with only a pillow, sleeping bag and roll mat allowed and also ran their own soup kitchen making a vegetable broth.

Leader David said: “Our aim was to raise as much money as we could for Atherton and Leigh Shelter for HoPe, so to raise £787 is amazing.

“I’m so proud of all of the Cubs who took part and raised such a fantastic amount of money.

“The money raised will help to pay for the upkeep of the building, as well as provide homeless people with a safe and warm place to stay, a bed, shower facilities, wash bag with associated supplies, hot meal and breakfast: things that we take for granted.

“Hopefully, it has opened the Cubs’ eyes and made them realise just how fortunate they are. They spent one night sleeping rough.

“But they are under no illusion that homeless people have to sleep rough seven nights a week, 365 nights in a year.”

David says the group is already looking to organise another fundraising sleepover to help the night shelter.