The Doorway Sponsored SleepOut was an outstanding success and we have currently raised over £10,000 based on current donations.

38 volunteers braved the very cold winter weather to sleep rough in a St Andrew's Churchyard in order to raise much needed funds for the drop-in centre.

It was also a great PR success, Doorway was featured in several articles in local newspapers and we were featured on BBC Points West on the Sunday evening, and on both Teletext and the BBC website. Appearing on the BBC website draws us to the attention of a very wide national audience via RSS news feeds to individuals and to organisations.

Organiser Margaret Cleverly said: "It was such a brilliant atmosphere - despite the cold temperatures. I think it was a real eye-opener to see how homeless people have to live and the conditions they have to contend with. In terms of reaching people and getting our message across, I don't think it could have gone much better."

"We have £7,000 pledged already and we are hoping it will go up as the week goes on. On behalf of Doorway I would like to thank everyone who gave up their time to sleep out for us."

Among the volunteers was the prospective parliamentary candidate for Chippenham Duncan Hames, Gazette editor Gary Lawrence, reporter Scott McPherson and photographer Diane Vose.

Speaking at the event chairman of the Chippenham Area Partnership Jane Clark OBE, said: "People who are forced to sleep out on the streets have lost everything and have so much to deal with."

"Homelessness has been ignored for too long and has been used as a political football by past governments. It could happen to anyone for any reason and it is crucial that we raise awareness and funds to help deal with this problem."

"This is a fantastic way for us to experience what homeless people face each day. We must raise the awareness of this plight and lend our support wholeheartedly to finding ways of helping."

For photos of the Doorway SleepOut please click here

Update April 2008 - the final figure for the SleepOut is £10,522.80

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Doorway would like to thank everyone who took part in the SleepOut and all those who supported us during the evening including the Mayor of Chippenham, Councillor Sandra Oakes; Duncan Hames, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Chippenham; Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Chippenham; Jane Clark OBE, Chair of Chippenham Area Community Partnership, staff from Westlea, the volunteers from St John's Ambulance and numerous other individuals.

article updated 22nd April 2008