West Sussex firefighters begin sleep out challenge
Steve Foster takes on the challenge having experienced homelessness himself
A firefighter from Worthing, who experienced homelessness, will be spending three nights sleeping outside to raise money for homeless veterans during the coronavirus pandemic.
Steve Foster, of Worthing Blue Watch, is taking part in the Royal British Legion Industries' Great Tommy Sleep Out alongside crewmate Matthew Harris.
Steve will also be joined by his daughter, 11-year-old Eloise, for the final day of the challenge on Friday.
The challenge, which started on Wednesday (March 24th), aims to raise money for the roughly 6,000 military veterans living on the UK's streets.
More than 4,000 people have already signed up across the country, including cadets, scouts and other Fire & Rescue Services, which ÂŁ110,000 already raised for the cause.
Steve said:
“Very few people will know this, but around seven years ago I became homeless and found myself living in a tent in a nature reserve for a few months over the winter period.
"I managed to hide the fact I was homeless from my family and my employer, but I was lucky enough to still be employed by the fire service and have a fire station I could use to shower and have some sort of normality in my life. Others aren’t so lucky.
“That is why myself and Matt will be taking part in The Great Tommy Sleep Out Challenge, braving the cold and potentially wet March nights, sleeping under the stars to help get veterans off the streets and into safe, warm housing and support those with disabilities.”
Steve and Matt will be taking on the challenge without financial back-up or provisions, meaning they are relying on donations of food or items from the public to get them through the event.
The pair will be camping out the outskirts of Worthing, Chichester and Burgess Hill, whatever the weather, and following Covid-19 safety guidelines.
West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service's Chief Fire Officer, Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, said:
“Returning to sleep out on the streets, even for a few nights, is not a decision anyone who has experienced homelessness would make lightly, and so I understand what a huge step this must have been for Steve to take.
"But I would like to commend him for taking his own experience of homelessness and using it for a force for good.
"It is such a worthy cause that he, Matt and Eloise will be raising awareness for and I would personally – from the bottom of my heart - like to wish him the very best of luck for the challenge.”
You can donate to Steve by visiting his Facebook page**.**