Rochdale volunteer to sleep out in Piccadilly Gardens for homelessness charity Centrepoint

Andy Jones, 36, will take to Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens on 18 November, with just £3 in his pocket and a ‘basic’ mobile phone for a full 24-hours

A volunteer from Rochdale-based community group Parents Against Grooming UK is swapping his bed for a sleeping bag to raise money for the homeless.

Andy Jones, 36, will take to Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens on 18 November, with just £3 in his pocket and a ‘basic’ mobile phone for a full 24-hours.

He hopes to raise £1,000 for Centrepoint, a charity which supports homeless young adults aged 16-25.

Andy said: “I want to gain a deeper insight into the impact of homelessness on the lives of young people and the life-changing support Centrepoint provides. It won’t be the most comfortable night’s sleep but it will be the most meaningful.”

Andy, who is disabled and uses a wheelchair, said he decided to sleep rough for the night as the Parents Against Grooming UK group he volunteers for helps the homeless.

“I also have friends who have become homeless in the past and would like to support the cause to help homeless people in the future. I also know a few people who are sadly on the streets and disabled,” he continued.

“I will have £3 with me for the 24-hours as this is approximately how much a homeless person lives on a day with no bank cards or other source of income. I will also have a basic phone that can only be used in an emergency to make a phone call and will be in my wheelchair, so I won’t be travelling far due to the battery level.”

He added: “Homeless people need a chance.”

Centrepoint is asking people to hold their own sleepouts between 18-21 November in a safe place to raise money for the charity.

Donations can be made via the Centrepoint website.