Great Tommy Sleep Out in Alcester raises £1,200 for homeless veterans

A NIGHT sleeping outside under the stars has raised over £1,200 for homeless veterans.

Alcester’s Judie Kendall recently pitched her tent in the garden of the Alcester Inn and braved the cold when she took part in The Great Tommy Sleep Out sponsored by BAE Systems to raise money for Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) which supports the estimated 6,000 veterans who are experiencing homelessness in the UK now.

She chose the RBLI because it was a charity her late mother – Meryl Ottley - used to support. There are also family ties to the armed forces as Judie’s grandad – Bill Vernon - fought in the First and Second World Wars.

It was an emotional occasion at times for Judie who was accompanied in the charity sleep out by her brother Andy Wyatt who also raised money for the RBLI.

“Royal British Legion Industries can provide safe, warm housing and ensure everyone has a fair opportunity to gain employment, regardless of health conditions or disability. Anyone can take part in the sleep out during March to help a great cause,” Judie said.

After the event Judie told the Herald she slept well was glad she wore a scarf had a few brandy tots before bedtime, but the worst part was getting out of the sleeping bag and then the tent to answer a call of nature.

Judie said: “Thank you to everyone who bought raffle tickets and donated on Saturday night at the Alcester Inn we made a total of £449 selling raffle tickets. Thank you to all the businesses who donated and thank you so much for everyone who helped me like Tracey Reilly for letting me hold the charity night there and camp in the garden with my brother Andy Wyatt who also raised money for the RBLI. Thank you to my husband Simon Kendall for backing me all the way for this event and my sister Louise Ravenhill and my cousin Cindy Ottley for helping with the raffle and thank you to all our friends and family that came on the night. I’m so overwhelmed and proud of the amount of cash raised for RBLI and I hope I’ve made my grandad bamps and mum - Meryl – proud. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m so happy to have raised £1,243 for the RBLI.”

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