About 100 members of Girlguiding from across Nottinghamshire braved the elements on Friday (19 May) by sleeping out under cardboard to highlight the plight of the homeless.
Aged from 10 upwards, the girls began to arrive at Girlguiding Nottinghamshire’s Elton campsite from 7.00pm, all armed with a cardboard box which would be their only shelter for the night. After queuing for a simple supper from the soup kitchen, they then warmed up during a campfire singalong before bedding down in their boxes.
Despite the gloomy forecast, the rain held off for most of the night and the Guides rose early on Saturday morning – still smiling! – with some staying on to carry out essential conservation work on the SSSI-designated site.
All the girls had been sponsored to take part in the sleep-out and the money raised will be donated to Framework, the Nottingham-based homelessness charity.
Talking afterwards, the Guides acknowledged their heightened appreciation of some of the issues associated with homelessness. ‘While it’s fun if you do this sort of thing with other Guides, you also get to see the serious side,’ reflected Eleanor Bedford (13) of 1st Claypole Guides.
Iona Bedford (10) agreed, saying: ‘I would do it again. We experienced something new, and when you’re with friends it’s better.’ But Ellee-Mae Hudson (12), also a member of 1st Claypole Guides, had to deal with some practical concerns – ‘My box fell apart!’ she exclaimed.
‘It was hard to sleep, noisy and cold,’ reflected Hannah Oxley (11) of 1st Gedling Guides, whilst her friend Ellie Stark (11) was surprised to find that it was ‘…quite comfy actually!’ Layla Bee (11), also a member of 1st Gedling Guides shared the views of many: ‘I’d like to do it again if I had a bigger box,’ she said. ‘And I’d bring more layers and more socks!’
‘You’d have to get a new box every night,’ said Sami Hurst of 19th Mansfield Guides. ‘Our box collapsed and I used three pairs of socks because they got so wet!’Jess Atkin, also from 19th Mansfield Guides, added: ‘I wouldn’t stay for another night but it was a fun experience with my friends,’ whilst Erin Gamble of 4th Rainworth Guides said that she had felt the cold. ‘If I had to do it all the time I’d be tired because I didn’t sleep very well,’ she admitted.
For details on Framework and its work with the homeless in Nottingham, visit www.frameworkha.org
