St Albans Mayor raises £1,635 for Open Door charity
St Albans Mayor, Councillor Anthony Rowlands, has handed a £1,635 cheque to the Open Door charity that supports homeless and vulnerable people in the area.
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Josie Madoc, raised the money by taking part in the annual St Albans Sleep-Out.
They slept out in the cold along with other fund raisers from 9pm one winter night until 7am the following day.
The sleepout has been running for almost 30 years, increasing awareness of the challenges faced by those without a permanent home.
The Open Door charity founded and supports a night shelter and drop-in centre based in the City Centre for vulnerable people as well as providing additional services and emergency accommodation during the winter.
Cllr Rowlands, Mayor of St Albans City and District, said:
Our thanks go to everyone who donated to this appeal. Open Door provides a valuable service to our community and I am delighted we have raised this money for such a good cause.
The Mayor (pictured far left) and Cllr Madoc (far right) handed the cheque to Open Door Treasurer Lindsey McLeod (2nd from right) outside St Albans City and District Council’s offices.
Cllr Madoc’s son Dylan, 14, (2nd from left) who also took part in the sleep-out, joined the presentation ceremony.
Lindsey said:
We are very grateful for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor’s support through our Sleepout. Like all organisations we are facing increasing costs, together with continued numbers sleeping rough. This fundraising will help us maintain vital activities in 2024.
Cllr Madoc said:
Choosing to sleep out overnight was an experience that was made more comfortable for us by having warm clothes, blankets, and access to hot drinks all night if we wanted them.
For the homeless, these luxuries are not on hand, and sleeping outside is not a choice. So, charities like Open Door are invaluable for providing a brilliant lifeline, and I'm extremely grateful to everyone who gave so generously so that Open Door can continue to do such wonderful work in St Albans.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727- 819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.