Visit from The Julian trust (homeless charity) and sleeping out rough in cardboard shelters 26/02/2016

Wednesday 24th February we were joined in OSR by Alan Kennett from the homeless charity The Julian Trust, Bristol. We were treated to a brief history of the trust and why it was formed 30 years ago then why there is a need for the charity. They feed 80 people each night five nights a week and then the first 18 people in the queue get a bed for the night. According to government sources there are 6-8 homeless people in the Bristol area, Alan suggests there are close to 500.
We were then shown how to fashion a shelter out of a cardboard box and given some advice for our sleep out.
So on to Friday evening and 11 daring scouts from OSR turned up sleeping bags in hand, we went for a hike around the village accompanied by Holly and her dad Nick Windows and then on our return to OSR we were treated to a hot meal supplied by Janet and her glamorous assistant Julie Windows.
Then we went to the court yard and with Lee we built are simple but effective shelters and were joined by Harry and Larah. We had a hot drink and then it was off to bed. The night went slower than I thought and it was cold with the wind chill but all 11 scouts and 4 leaders remained and when we awoke at 7am we were treated to sausage baps and a hot drink from Alison.
I would like to thank all involved in this crazy event and also The Small Move company based in Avonmouth for supplying about 100 boxes. Now I'm off to bed.........night!