Woodies Blog

This weekend, a team of 22 people from Highgrove Church joined others from across the city in sleeping rough for a night. Braving the wind and the rain, the team took part in BCAN's 'Supporting the Homeless' Sleep Out to raise awareness for the plight of the homeless in the city and raised over £5,000 for Crisis Centre Ministries.

Crisis Centre Ministries is a charity that does an amazing work in Bristol among some of the very poorest and vulnerable members of society. Many people across Woodlands Group of Churches are involved in supporting the work of the charity through prayer and many other practical ways.

Paul Hazelden, one of the organisers of the Sleep Out event and General Manager of the Crisis Centre, said "It has been so encouraging to see so many people willing to sacrifice the warmth and comfort of their own homes for a night to stand with those who rarely experience that warmth and comfort. It sends a powerful signal that churches in Bristol care enough to take action".

The Sleep Out was an eye-opening experience for many in the Highgrove team. One participant said "I slept out for one night, got wet and went home to catch up on sleep and to dry my things out on a radiator. What about those who do this night after night, with no respite? It made me appreciate so much more what I have and makes me more convinced that homelessness is just not acceptable".

The Crisis Centre, along with other Woodlands supported charity One 25, is also appearing on Channel 4's 'The Secret Millionaire' on Monday 1 March at 9pm.  Don't miss it!

At a time when the Crisis Centre is raising money to fund a desperately-needed move to larger premises, they are also delighted to be one of Love Running's supported charities for 2010.