“On our short walk from the tube station to the event area we passed at least three homeless people and this really hit home as to why we were doing this,” says Georgina. “Although due to a storm we did sleep inside a marquee, the cardboard box and sleeping bag gave us little protection from the cold hard concrete floor.
“Luckily for us it was a mild evening, but the temperature dropped dramatically by around 2am at the same time the rain, thunder and lightning began... the noise and cold made it almost impossible to sleep.
“The journey back to Northampton definitely felt longer than the way there and I actually felt physically sick due to the lack of sleep. Once we got to work it was very difficult to concentrate... even basic tasks like answering the phone and talking to colleagues became harder throughout the day. It was Sunday before I felt a little back to normal after missing just one night’s sleep so I can’t even imagine what that would be like indefinitely.
“I have since read some of the case studies from Centrepoint of the reasons behind homelessness among young people and I was surprised at how quickly it can happen – from sleeping at a friend’s house because it’s not safe to go home to being on the streets in a matter of weeks. A lot of the young people won’t ask for help as they are scared they will just be sent home and in some cases this can be just as, if not more scary, that the streets.
“If our contribution helped keep this charity going even a few more days it was worth it.”
During its 10th annual Sleep Out for Centrepoint, the more than 1,000 participants have so far raised a staggering £250,000.
For more information about Centrepoint visit www.centrepoint.org.uk
For more information about Rodericks please visit www.rodericksdental.co.uk, email info@rodericksdental.co.uk or call 01604 602491.