Members of the Black and White Army have raised in excess of £7,000 to help combat homelessness after enduring torrential rain in a St Mirren sleep out.
Twenty people, including St Mirren chairman John Needham and women’s manager Kate Cooper, slept pitchside at the SMiSA stadium last Friday night in a bid to raise awareness of the plight of homeless people.
The sponsored event has so far raised more than £7k which will be split between Shelter Scotland and in-house charity, the St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation.
David Wilson was one of the willing fans who signed up for the fundraiser and endured a soggy night sleeping under the stars.
“I had heard about the sleep out last year,” he said. “When I saw this year it would be held on March 17, the 10th anniversary of the Scottish League Cup win, I thought it was a great opportunity to do something different and raise funds for two worthy causes.
“The temperature was actually pretty mild but it turned quite quickly when the rain came on and it went on all night, it was really torrential at one point.
“Everyone was sleeping between the pitch and the stand and the rain was lashing down. Everyone just had a blanket over the sleeping bag.”
But he added: “We were experiencing that for one night. Homeless people don’t have the luxury of going home to a warm house and a loving family.
“One of the girls who volunteers preparing meals for the local community, she spoke to us on the night.
“She said there are people who come in regularly and they are sleeping rough on the streets of Paisley.
“It really focuses your mind on why you are doing this and the importance of these charities that support people who have fallen on hard times.”
For Saints chairman Needham, it was the team spirit on the night and the opportunity to meet dedicated fans that made the experience bearable.
“There was great camaraderie in the group,” he said. “It wasn’t very comfortable at all, it was mild but it was very, very wet.
“It really did make us think about people less fortunate who have to do that every single night.
“It makes you appreciate what you have even more.”
He added: “Despite it being so challenging, it was a really positive experience in the end and it was heartwarming to see so many people getting involved and supporting through their donations.
“A huge thank you to everyone that took part and supported the event.”
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