By Grimsby PCSO sleeps rough to support veterans
A Humberside Police PCSO has taken up the challenge of sleeping rough in order to raise money and awareness for those affected by homelessness.
PCSO Marc Ireland spent the night on the streets of Grimsby last month.
Through his efforts, he raised over £160 for the Royal British Legion (RBL), a charity which supports ex-veterans including those at risk of homelessness.
A social media post issued by the force reads: “The image shows one of our very own PCSOS, PCSO Marc Ireland from Grimsby spending the night on the streets in Grimsby, raising awareness of our rough sleepers and the help and support they need.
“PCSO Ireland did this in his own time and during a cold spell back in March. In the process he managed to raise over £160 for the Royal British Legion.”
A statement issued by the RBL reads:
“A lot can change when someone leaves the military.
“Not all struggle in the transition to civvy street, but there’s a lot of challenges to take on. One missed bit of paperwork can make life so much harder, and if you don’t have a support network to fall back on then it’s a slippery slope.
“People might not be rough sleeping, but they may be staying with friends, sleeping on sofas and living off the goodwill of their mates. When it runs out, they might not have anywhere else to turn.”
The funds raised by PCSO Marc Ireland will go towards enabling the RBL to support vulnerable veterans, including assisting them to find accommodation, making them aware of their rights and by putting them in touch with the appropriate authorities.
Veterans facing difficulties should contact the Royal British Legion here, via their website.
Anyone else experiencing housing issues can contact Shelter directly via their website.
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