The mayor of St Albans will be taking part in a Sleepout next month to raise money for a homeless charity.

Councillor Geoff Harrison will be participating in the St Albans Abbey Sleepout to raise money and awareness for the homeless charity Open Door.

More than 200 people used the night shelter last year, with 17 people a day using the daytime drop-in.

All the money raised at the sleepout will go towards supporting the charity’s work.

Councillor Geoff Harrison and patron of Open Door, said: "Open Door provides much-needed support and shelter to people who find themselves without a roof over their heads. 

"The event raises awareness of homelessness and challenges it brings. If you are unable to come along, please sponsor someone who is sleeping out or make a donation to this good cause."

Joan Bailey, chairman of the Open Door Charity, said: "Open Door really needs your help so that we can continue to support people in our community who have become homeless.

"Homelessness is a real and growing problem, which affects people from all walks of life, often suddenly and unexpectedly."

This year’s Sleepout is on Friday, December 5 from 9pm - 7am, and will be raising funds for ten homelessness charities across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, including Centre 33, Emmaus and Open Door all based in St Albans. 

The event is open to anyone, but children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent, and young people between 12 and 18-years-old must have a responsible adult staying with them throughout the night.
For more information on the sleepout visit www.abbeysleepout.org.