Bath Rugby President John Hall has urged people from across the city and surrounding area to join him at the Rec Sleep Out 2019, taking place on Wednesday 6th November.
Having played for Bath 277 times over a 14-year senior career, Hall is no stranger to being in uncomfortable situations at The Rec, but being temporarily stuck at the bottom of a ruck is nothing compared to the prospect of spending an entire night outside in the November cold and rain.
Hall already works closely with Bath Rugby Foundation, focused particularly on leadership development and the mentoring of teenagers and young people from challenging backgrounds.
He is leading the Andes Challenge, which will see 10 current and former Bath Rugby Foundation participants take part in a life-changing cycling challenge in Chile in November.
He said: “Having seen the young people who take part in Bath Rugby Foundation programmes who do not have a safe and stable place to spend the night, signing up to spend one night out in the open was an easy decision to make.
“No matter how cold it gets, the knowledge that the money we raise helps youngsters in a terrible situation and the publicity this event gives to a very real issue will keep us going.”
Bath Rugby Foundation works with more than 3,000 children and young people annually and staff are increasingly aware that more and more of the participants on the charity’s programmes do not have the security of a permanent home.
Many young people find themselves sofa-surfing or moving between various types of temporary accommodation. Sadly, there are often times that young people arrive at the charity hungry.
Hall, who was announced as Bath Rugby’s President in August this year, said: “Youth homelessness is a very real issue in this city and I feel that people who have had opportunity should help young people who have had a tough start to life climb a few steps up the ladder.
“I would urge all Bath Rugby fans, businesses and individuals across the area to support this event and join us at The Rec Sleep Out on November 6.”
You can sign up to take part in the Rec Sleep Out at: https://www.bathrugbyfoundation.com/Event/the-rec-sleep-out-2019.
