07-03-2025
West Craven veterans to brave the cold in fundraising sleep-out
A GROUP of forces veterans will be joined by two Pendle councillors for a sleep out in Barnoldswick to raise awareness of the issue of veteran homelessness.
Pendle Council's Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Kevin Salter, and Earby and Coates Councillor David Hartley – who are both ex-forces veterans - will be joining other ex-forces veterans from the Barnoldswick and Earby area as they swap their beds for sleeping bags for the night.
The Great Tommy Sleep Out will take place on the green opposite the war memorial in Barnoldswick on Saturday March 29 to raise money for The Royal British Legion Industries and draw attention to the fact that an estimated 6,000 veterans are currently homeless in the UK.
Mark Dunstan, a member of The West Craven Veterans Group and a committee member of The Barnoldswick and District Royal British Legion, said: 'We are coming together to support each other as members of the veterans group; to put ourselves at a little discomfort for one night to support fellow veterans who are less fortunate than us and are often sleeping outside without a choice.
'The Great Tommy Sleep Out is an annual, national event. We took part for the first time last year and vowed to make it an annual event.'
Cllr Salter, added: 'This is a fundraising challenge designed to support ex-service personnel who find themselves without a roof over their head.
'The event is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by servicemen and women who find themselves without a home when they return to civilian life.
'The money raised will help to pay for emergency accommodation, welfare and healthcare support, employment training and work experience to help vulnerable veterans on the road to independence after leaving the Armed Forces.'
To sponsor the West Craven veterans, visit:
