Sleeping rough gives an insight into others’ plight

As my cheek hit the pavement, I was faced with the cold, hard reality thousands of kids up and down the country were doing the same thing every night.

Kipping outside in late October with little more than a sleeping bag, and a piece of cardboard acting as a mattress, it was never going to be a night for catching up on some much-needed rest.

Looking at my watch, it had just gone three o’clock in the morning and time had seemingly stood still for hours.

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Closing my eyes, I’m reminded of the home comforts I’ll return to.

But, for more than 4,000 under 16s in South Yorkshire who run away from home each year, there is no warm bed, no hot shower and no cooked breakfast to look forward to.

Home, for them, is unbearable. And being on the streets, cruelly, offers them more shelter and protection than anywhere else.

Doesn’t sound right does it?

Fortunately, there are others out there who feel the same way. Children’s charity Safe@Last offer alternatives to being on the streets, try to prevent kids from running away again and provide a free helpline operated by trained volunteers.

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When talking to some of them at Friday night’s Big Sleepout, held at Rotherham’s Parkgate retail park, their enthusiasm to try and make a difference is a breath of fresh air.

They listen to those who are being bullied, assaulted and neglected, amongst other issues, but don’t know where to turn, drawing from their own experiences in the process.

And the message is clear – running away is a last resort.

The charity has launched a schools programme educating youngsters about the dangers of doing just that around South Yorkshire, north Notts and parts of Derbyshire.

Taking another glance at my watch, it’s easy to see why they’re so keen on getting the message across.

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Access to hot drinks and toilets felt like a luxury on the Big Sleepout, which attracted more than 160 people.

The police helicopter circling the town overhead meant falling asleep had become a frustrating game.

The cold began to creep through my umpteen layers, rubbing insult into injury, though it at least remained dry - for the time being, at least.

For those thinking it’s similar to camping, think again.

This was a completely different experience and under harsher conditions would have probably been unendurable. But it offered little more than an insight into what thousands of kids go through every night.

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And in the morning, as I saddle up for the drive home, their journey is about to start all over again. A real eye opener.

Safe@Last expect to raise close to £7,000 from the event and held two similar sleepouts in Sheffield and Doncaster recently.

They will be holding another one in Barnsley at the Metrodome Leisure Complex this Friday.

To find out more visit www.safeatlast.org.uk.