'I slept rough in the snow for one night and quickly had stark realisation'

05 December 2023 , 14:36

1140     0

Landlady Pauline Town joined We Shall Overcome volunteers to take part in a charity rough sleep in the car park of her pub (Image: We Shall Overcome)

A selfless pub landlord and charity worker has shared the sad reality of sleeping rough after spending the night on the streets to raise money for the homeless.

Pauline Town, who runs The Station Hotel pub in Greater Manchester, slept outside in the snow on Saturday night, armed with a tent, sleeping bag and roll mat. She joined her local community group, We Shall Overcome, to take part in the sponsored rough sleep, alongside 30 other volunteers, for the 10th year in a row.

The 55-year-old renowned charity worker has been recognised numerous times for her incredible work supporting the homeless, victims of domestic abuse, and those facing poverty. In 2021, she was awarded an MBE by the late Queen. This time, her fundraising efforts saw her spend the night in freezing cold temperatures.

Pauline is a dedicated charity worker and received an MBE for her services to the homeless in 2021 (Manchester Evening News)

Her night on the streets reminded her just how vulnerable and scary rough sleeping can be (We Shall Overcome)

Speaking about her experience the morning after, Pauline, 55, told Manchester Evening News: "It was hard. It is the first time we've done it in snow. We've had rain before, we've had wind. But we've never had snow. So it was tough going. We've said all along, as we have every year, that you can only use what you would realistically be able to use if you were really rough sleeping. And we're not making light of people who have to do this for real by saying that."

She added: "It's about raising awareness of what it's actually like for people who have to live in that way as well. People are allowed a tent, they are allowed a sleeping bag and roll mat - because we collect those and distribute those. And you can wear whatever layers of clothing you want but that's it. We don't have blow-up beds or portable heaters or things like that, it has to be real."

Gales, snow and rain to batter country today with 80mph wind gusts

Given the conditions, with temperatures dropping below 0C, Pauline said they debated about whether to go ahead with the event but decided it was so important to raise awareness. She explained they pitched tents in the snow and most were two to a tent, which made it 'slightly warmer'. "We had to be very careful with health and safety," she continued. "We had a first aider who sat up in the pub in case anyone got in trouble. As it happens, everybody made it through the night and nobody needed to come in."

During the night, a stranger threw a kebab at one of the tents. The year prior, a volunteer was booted in the head by another passerby (We Shall Overcome)

The group was grateful the following morning when they were able to head back indoors, after what felt like an incredibly long night. "We've got the luxury this morning of having a toilet to use and being able to make a brew and defrost a little bit," Pauline continued. "But when you're doing it, and you're in the tent, it's incredible how long a night actually feels. And if you have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the loo, and getting back in trying to get warm again and get some sleep. It really makes you realise what they're going through."

Pauline said it highlighted how traumatising it can be for rough sleepers, as strangers on the street had little respect for those in the tents. "Somebody did come down last night and mooch around the tents and threw a kebab at one of the tents. Idiots messing around," she explained. "But there were a number of us out there and if it had been one of us in our own in a tent, that could have been a far worse situation."

She added: "Last year when we did it, someone came and kicked one of the tents and booted one of our rough sleepers in the head. It's that sort of mentality, you get idiots targetting people who are rough sleeping as well. It really makes you realise how vulnerable you are as well, and how scary it is."

Pauline and those taking part have raised over £8,000 so far. To find out more and donate, visit the fundraising page.

Chris Slater