A WARRINGTON shopping centre played host to a special “sleepover” in support of the homeless charity The Railway Children.
Eighteen Guides and Rangers from Moss Edge, aged from 10-16 years, went to Golden Square armed with only their sleeping bags to raise funds and get a glimpse of how difficult life can be for young people who sleep on the streets, often for months or even years at a time.
Guide Leaders have been working with the group to research and discuss the many hardships of being homeless and how difficult life is without the support of friends or family, a luxury most take for granted.
Ian Cox, general manager at Golden Square, said: “The Girl Guides are doing a wonderful thing for such a deserving cause and we were very proud to be involved.”
Jen Lyons, aged 24, a leader with the Moss Edge Senior Section and the 1st Oakwood Guides said: “The girls told me that this experience really made them think more about the impact of running away and how scary sleeping rough is. As leaders we wanted to help them understand this as well as raise money for a great cause.”
The girls have raised over £250 so far through sponsorship and by organising a can drive where they collected cans of food from friends and family to donate to a homeless shelter in Manchester.
To learn more or for anyone wanting to donate, go to http://www.justgiving.com/railwaychildren/Donate
