Hanwell Reverend out in the cold

During the long and cold night outside St Christopher's Church, the group made shelter from cardboard boxes donated by Access Storage in Boston Manor and a total of £1,000 has been raised for West London YMCA.

Revd. Liz Moody, said she learnt a lot from her experience and said: "You really do get petty over a bit of cardboard when you think someone has more than you as it provides insulation and shelter.

"I was really thirsty but couldn't get a drink as we only got food if people gave us something or we had money and even though I had layers on my body, I was freezing.

"I listened to everyone snoring and talking and my cardboard hut collapsed on me and I screamed thinking I was being attacked.

"I got about an hour and a half of sleep and it's not surprising street homeless people look washed out.

"But the biggest thing I learned was that homeless people don't have the luxury of choice; they can't just make themselves a cup of tea when they want, or go to the loo when they want, or eat or choose what they want to eat.

One night felt like a slog, but night after night would be a total grind."

A total of 17 YMCA's held the sponsored 'Sleep Easy' event and the money raised will go towards helping provide people with a warm safe place for the night.

Donations are still being accepted by visiting www.justgiving.com/lizmoody