80-year-old woman sleeps on cellar floor to raise funds for Salisbury homeless charity
Former Mayor of Salisbury raised nearly ÂŁ2000 for Alabare
Last updated 9th Mar 2021
People across Salisbury gave up their bed for the night on Friday (5th March) and slept in an uncomfortable place to raise money to help the homeless.
Over 200 people took part in the Alabare's **'Big Sleep at Home' on Friday and raised over ÂŁ30,000.**
The money raised will help provide accommodation and support for those in crisis and without a home.
This year 'Big Sleepers' had to get creative as the usual event which takes place in Salisbury Cathedral couldn't go ahead because of Covid-19 restrictions.
80-year-old Sheila was one of the participants, she slept in her cellar for the night.
"Whether it was in the Cloisters or not, I promised to do it this year because I was turning 80, so I chose to do it in my cellar.
"I had cardboard to sleep on and two sleeping bags, luckily there were no mice or spiders, that I saw, so that was good.
"I slept on and off two or three hours to start with, but it was slightly easier this time because I could have a pillow, which you wouldn't normally have in the Cloisters as it's too much to carry down.
"In the cellar, I cheated and had a hot water bottle, and I didn't actually touch the wine we have down there."
Sheila said spending the night in her cellar was worth it as so far, she's raised ÂŁ1850, which she is very grateful for.
"It was incredibly quiet and lonely, because at the Cloisters there were loads of you sleeping out but down there, I was on my own.
"But in the cathedral Cloisters, the clock strikes every 15 minutes, which did keep you awake and people would be snoring, which was quite a challenge because they'd snore, snore and stop and then you'd think are they going to snore again?"
Just turning 80, she was a bit apprehensive about spending the night in a cold, damp cellar
"But, sleeping down there was nowhere near as difficult as the homeless people do. It wasn't desperately uncomfortable. Also, I am quite comparatively fit, so I am pleased I did it."
Back in January 2007, Sheila initiated the first ever 'Big Sleep' for Alabare in Salisbury Cathedral. It was part of her Mayoral duties as the Mayor of Salisbury.
"I chose them as my charity for the year. I had been a volunteer before becoming mayor and knew what work they did and how they're services had improved.
"As part of the fundraising for that charity, I chose to have the sleep out, initiating it in the Cloisters in the cathedral. We raised ÂŁ20,000 that year."