A FUNDRAISER sacrificed his warm home for seven cold nights in a tent to help homeless young people raising more than £22,000.
Mike Sheil, 76 of Buckland, slept under a canvas in the seven different church yards of his local parish of Gainfield.
He started his challenge on December 12 and completed it on December18.
Mr Sheil is supporting Aspire Oxfordshire and Youth Challenge Oxfordshire, two charities working to support vulnerable young people to find stable housing and employment and address the challenges facing them today, including mental health, bullying and social media pressures.
He said he wanted to do something for the next generation: “It is to raise awareness, the problems of homelessness for young people is that it is a hidden problem.
“We are aware of people in city centres on the streets, but it happens in rural areas as well.
“A lot of young people are homeless in the sense they are not on the streets, but they have nowhere regular to sleep; they are sofa surfing.”
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He was joined by former High Sherriff of Oxfordshire and the current chair of the Oxfordshire Homeless Movement, Jane Cranston.
She celebrated her 70th birthday while doing the sleepout’s.
The pair originally aimed to raise £7,000, but now say they could reach £25,000.
Mr Sheil is a former photojournalist and has seen the difficulties many young people face in poverty across the world.
He said: “Having worked in over 60 countries around the world during my career, I have witnessed the impact of poverty on children and the UK is in no way exempt from this poverty and deprivation.
“Most recently, the pandemic has disrupted the lives of children and young people across the country and has left many vulnerable young people in difficult situations. Like many of us, when I was young, I made mistakes, but I received support and help that enabled me to get back on track and pursue a successful career. That help I received has inspired me to give back and support the next generation, who are growing up in daunting times.
“I feel that we would be failing as a society if we did need seek to support our young people, whose lives have been so disrupted.
“They are the future of our country and society.”
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