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A Night To Remember - For All The Right Reasons

Putting yourself in the position of those less favoured can be tricky. It must make a real difference, help to raise awareness and gain real attention. Not just make the people who participate feel good about themselves for a short period. The Charity Sleep Out at Parkgate Shopping Park on November 6/7 in aid of Safe@Last really did hit the button, as these photographs illustrate.

A real cross section of the Rotherham Community (and beyond) gave their wholehearted support; from the Lord (Scarborough) to the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, from the celebrity (Lucy Pargetter aka Chastity Dingle from Emmerdale) to the hundreds of ordinary people who really do care for the plight of those less fortunate, and are prepared to do something about it.

Although they had a home game that evening, Rotherham United, who attract so many young supporters, rushed a couple of their players down so that they too could associate themselves with the event.

With a long night ahead, Lord Scarborough joined others in testing out the night equipment.

Then the TV Cameras from local ITV News arrived to do interviews. The event was attracting a lot of local interest, and two local reporters did the whole Sleep Out so that they could capture the real spirit of the event and people who participated.

To keep the volunteers in high spirits, entertainments of various sorts were organised, including a well known local folk band, "Tree Beard".

Lucy attracted a lot of attention from all ages, and the kids were especially pleased to talk to her.

Some competition was also injected in the form of the "Parkgate Yo-Yo- Challenge" which did a perfect job in tiring the volunteers out.

Lights out - well not quite as security on the Park has to be maintained 24/7. But most volunteers seem to have enjoyed several hours of sleep.

Rise and shine, which some found difficult until Parkgate Operations Manager Billy Smith, a tower of support throughout the proceedings, announced that we were all going for a Full English Breakfast at nearby Morrisons.

Need we say more - the expressions on their faces show how much they enjoyed it.

So, we had fellowship, entertainment and food. many of the kids who run away from home have to rely on any scrap of food or comfort they can find. Which is why events like this which raise such large sums of money and raise the charity's profile are so important. They enable Safe@last to continue the good work it does in the community.

Finally thanks have to go to so many people who made the event possible. All the celebrities and entertainers, the VIPs who turned up. Denis Copeland, Manager of Parkgate Shopping Park and all his staff. The retailers who all chipped in with equipment and food, and particularly David Schofield, manager of Morrisons Parkgate for the food he provided during the evening and the morning after breakfast. And to Mark Lees from Safe@Last and his team. Above all, to the volunteers and fund raisers.