Show your support for city's homeless
Dozens are expected to brave the elements this weekend (14 December) to support Glasgow’s homeless.
Help The Homeless Glasgow’s sleepout will see members of the public take to the city's streets to replicate the harsh conditions many tragically face on a daily basis.
Last year, 72 people slept rough as part of the event - with organisers hoping to surpass that figure on Saturday evening.
Anton Reilly, one of the volunteers who runs the group, said: "We decided to do the sleepout again as last year’s event was such a huge success.
"The support for our group has been amazing and the interest in Saturday’s event has been incredible.
"I believe the system currently in place to assist the homeless is clearly not working.
"We are witnessing more and more deaths on the streets...We need to address this and we need to address this now."
Last month Shelter Scotland launched a judicial review that claims Glasgow city council has illegally denied temporary accommodation to homeless applicants.
With this in mind, campaigners are working together with local housing associations and charities who have spare rooms, and in discussion with Glasgow’s city council and the Scottish government – who are limited because they are not legally allowed to directly fund accommodation for over-stayers - to put together a critical mass of long-term accommodation.
Anyone is free to attend the sleepout, which will meet outside Tesco on Sauchiehall Street at 9.30pm, without registration fees or sponsorship.
Instead, the group asks that those who take part donates their sleeping bag to the group in the morning so they can be passed on to those on the streets.
Reilly added: "Sleeping bags are our most sought after items on the streets.
"These can be a real life saver especially in the winter months.
"A lot of times our friends only get maybe one or two uses out of a sleeping bag due to the conditions, particularly the wet weather we’ve been experiencing recently.
"Any sleeping bags that are donated after Saturdays event will be greatly appreciated and will help us to continue aiding our friends on the street as our stock is running low."
