We slept outside to raise money for the homeless. This is what happened.
There's around 320,000 people sleeping rough in the UK, according to research published by homeless charity Shelter at the end of 2018.
To raise awareness, and much-needed funds, two members of the Low Cost Vans family, along with many others from across the Swansea Bay area, gathered at Swansea City's Liberty Stadium to spend the night sleeping outdoors.
The event, entitled The Cold Truth, was organised by local radio station The Wave, and raised an impressive £25,000 for their nominated charities. And while the experience in no way compares to the real hardships faced by those who have no choice but to sleep outdoors night after night, it did offer a brief insight into the challenges they face.
This is Alesha and Debbi's diary of that night...
Like Bank Holidays and long weekends, you can always rely on the British weather to rain at the worst possible times - and that's exactly what happened when the pair arrived at the Liberty Stadium.
Alesha: "When we first arrived, I didn't know if I could do it. It was raining so hard people were sleeping in puddles, and their cardboard was soaked through. But I realised that some people have no choice and have to sleep like this all the time, so what did I have to complain about?"
Debbi: "It was raining so hard we we had to find cover. Luckily, we found a little doorway - right next to the bins and the ashtray! - and set up for the night. It did make me think, 'do people really have to live like this?'"
After getting a soaking, at least the service doorway kept the pair protected from the worst of the rainfall, if not the bitter winter windchill:
Alesha: "There isn't much cover at the Liberty Stadium, and most people had to sleep in the rain. The night itself wasn't too cold, but it was very chilly because of the wind. And once you're wet from the rain, it was difficult to get warm again."
It wasn't just a case of finding a spot and sleeping for the night. There was entertainment on-hand from the radio station, as well as paramedics offering "everything you could need," from blankets to Lemsip.
Debbi: "There was entertainment from DJs, a comedian and a singer. People who had benefited from the charities were there as well, and they told us about their stories, about how the support had changed their lives. And Costa were giving out cakes and drinks throughout the evening, so we were fed and watered. Of course, people who have to sleep rough every night wouldn't get these luxuries, which we were very grateful for."
With the entertainment done and dusted, it was time to zip up the sleeping bags and try to get some shut-eye:
Alesha: "We settled down for the night at about 12.30am. Everything started to go quiet around then, and the lights were turned off. We did manage to get some sleep, but it was broken sleep due to the wind, and we woke up again every hour or so."
The pair were up and and about bright and early the next morning - although sadly, not early enough for the bacon rolls which were being handed out - and then made their way home to their own beds for a well-deserved rest:
Alesha: "We woke up at 5.15pm. The traffic made sure we were awake, so we packed up and made our way home. It was a big eye-opener, and an insight into what homeless people must go through every night."
Debbi: "It was hard to relax, even though we were protected while we slept, and we could use the facilities at the stadium. It's hard to imagine what it must be like to do this every night without any of that."
Alesha: "We would definitely do it again - same again next year!"
To raise awareness, and much-needed funds, two members of the Low Cost Vans family, along with many others from across the Swansea Bay area, gathered at Swansea City's Liberty Stadium to spend the night sleeping outdoors.
The event, entitled The Cold Truth, was organised by local radio station The Wave, and raised an impressive £25,000 for their nominated charities. And while the experience in no way compares to the real hardships faced by those who have no choice but to sleep outdoors night after night, it did offer a brief insight into the challenges they face.
This is Alesha and Debbi's diary of that night...
Arrival
Like Bank Holidays and long weekends, you can always rely on the British weather to rain at the worst possible times - and that's exactly what happened when the pair arrived at the Liberty Stadium.
Alesha: "When we first arrived, I didn't know if I could do it. It was raining so hard people were sleeping in puddles, and their cardboard was soaked through. But I realised that some people have no choice and have to sleep like this all the time, so what did I have to complain about?"
Debbi: "It was raining so hard we we had to find cover. Luckily, we found a little doorway - right next to the bins and the ashtray! - and set up for the night. It did make me think, 'do people really have to live like this?'"
Soaked to the bone
After getting a soaking, at least the service doorway kept the pair protected from the worst of the rainfall, if not the bitter winter windchill:
Alesha: "There isn't much cover at the Liberty Stadium, and most people had to sleep in the rain. The night itself wasn't too cold, but it was very chilly because of the wind. And once you're wet from the rain, it was difficult to get warm again."
Keeping spirits up
It wasn't just a case of finding a spot and sleeping for the night. There was entertainment on-hand from the radio station, as well as paramedics offering "everything you could need," from blankets to Lemsip.
Debbi: "There was entertainment from DJs, a comedian and a singer. People who had benefited from the charities were there as well, and they told us about their stories, about how the support had changed their lives. And Costa were giving out cakes and drinks throughout the evening, so we were fed and watered. Of course, people who have to sleep rough every night wouldn't get these luxuries, which we were very grateful for."
Good night?
With the entertainment done and dusted, it was time to zip up the sleeping bags and try to get some shut-eye:
Alesha: "We settled down for the night at about 12.30am. Everything started to go quiet around then, and the lights were turned off. We did manage to get some sleep, but it was broken sleep due to the wind, and we woke up again every hour or so."
The morning after
The pair were up and and about bright and early the next morning - although sadly, not early enough for the bacon rolls which were being handed out - and then made their way home to their own beds for a well-deserved rest:
Alesha: "We woke up at 5.15pm. The traffic made sure we were awake, so we packed up and made our way home. It was a big eye-opener, and an insight into what homeless people must go through every night."
Debbi: "It was hard to relax, even though we were protected while we slept, and we could use the facilities at the stadium. It's hard to imagine what it must be like to do this every night without any of that."
Alesha: "We would definitely do it again - same again next year!"
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