Care home worker to sleep out at Sunderland's Stadium of Light for good causes

From left, friends Leigh Varga and Rachael Hindle will sleep rough for one night in Sunderland to raise funds for charity Centrepoint.

Rachael Hindle is to take part in a sleep-out event at the Championship club’s home on Thursday.

The event has been organised by Centrepoint, the UK’s leading charity for homeless young people, which has been running sleep-outs for 10 years in the UK.

The event will take place at the Stadium of Light.

Rachael, who is a regional development officer for Hill Care Group, which operates care homes throughout the north of England, is hoping to raise £200 for Centrepoint.

She will be joined by friend Leigh Varga, a health and social care trainer for Lifetime Training, who is aiming to raise the same amount.

Although the pair have both taken part in similar charitable events for several years, it is the first time they have been involved in Centrepoint’s sleep out.

Rachael, from Durham, said: “For the last few years, myself and my dear friend Leigh have helped refugees in France, fundraised for animal rescue centres and, last year, we were involved with helping those without a home in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

“While helping the homeless, I was touched and saddened to hear some of the stories they shared with us.

“Many of them had such positivity and courage and their smiles in the face of adversity really made me want to do more.

“That’s why on a bitterly cold and damp November night, we’ll be taking part in Centrepoint’s Sleep Out, swapping our beds and warm houses for a sleeping bag and a night on the streets.

“It won’t be an easy task but it will help give some of society’s most vulnerable people the support they need to rebuild their lives.”

Centrepoint provides housing and support for over 200 16 to 25-year-olds in the North East – and 9,200 nationally.

To help Rachael and Leigh raise funds for the charity, visit https://sleepoutnortheast.everydayhero.com/uk/rachael/wizard/share.