As mentioned in my previous article, a small group of us from the Jimmy Hill Way are doing a sleep out by Jimmy's Statue on the night of Friday 25th January into Saturday 26th and staying until around kick off in the match between Coventry City and Blackpool.
This event has a dual purpose:
1. To illustrate the impending homelessness of the Sky Blues - after this weekend there are just 8 home games left at the Ricoh under the current agreement which presently seems unlikely to be renewed;
2. To raise money via a bucket collection for the Coventry Winter Night Shelter, a charity run by Hope Coventry to help the homeless population of the City.
Just for once, I don't intend covering the problems of our football club. You can read my last piece "100 Days Left for Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena?" on the website if you need to catch up.
I want to concentrate on the work that Hope Coventry does to help some of the most vulnerable members of our society.
Homelessness can affect anybody regardless of their nationality, religion, race, sexuality,
age or gender. Most of the problem is hidden, and the statistics do not reflect 'sofa surfing' or families in B&Bs. The numbers of people who are homeless are growing quickly. I have observed how Homelessness on the streets of Coventry has become an increasing issue this Winter.
Coventry Winter Night Shelter (CWNS) is a project run by Coventry Churches around the city, which provides rough sleepers with support, a hot meal, a safe and warm bed for the night and breakfast the next day. The project runs from 1st December - 31st March every year. You can read more about this vital and excellent work at https://hopecoventry.org.uk/projects/cwns/
We hope that many Coventry City and Blackpool supporters will generously help to fill our buckets at the Ricoh on Saturday.
Even more effective is for donors to contribute by PayPal with Gift Aid via Hope Coventry's website https://hopecoventry.org.uk/donate/
and enter details as follows:
Full Name
Email Address
Tick Gift Aid Box - if eligible as a UK taxpayer
Tick Coventry Winter Night Shelter
Full Address & Post Code - if Gift Aid selected
In Other Info enter - Jimmy Hill Way Campaign
Click Next
Enter amount to Donate
Click Next
Enter Paypal email and password
Click Log In
Click Send Money Now
We can't solve the problem of Homelessness but between us we can help to make a difference to people who are at their lowest ebb.
Those of us sleeping out at the Ricoh this weekend have quality sleeping bags and warm, waterproof clothing at the ready. It's a small sacrifice to make for one day when we can go back to dry, central-heated homes the following night.
Please dig deep to support the Coventry Winter Night Shelter for those who can't!
PUSB
David Johnson
Spokesperson
The Jimmy Hill Way Campaign