Girl Guides from Gedling joined some 100 members of Girlguiding Nottinghamshire on Friday (May 19) in sleeping out under cardboard to highlight the plight of the homeless.
The girls – who were aged from 10 upwards – arrived at Girlguiding Nottinghamshire’s Elton campsite on Friday evening, all armed with a cardboard box which would be their only shelter for the night.
After queuing for a simple supper from the soup kitchen, they then warmed up during a campfire singalong before bedding down in their boxes.
Despite the gloomy forecast, the rain held off for most of the night and the Guides rose early on Saturday morning – still smiling!
All the girls had been sponsored to take part in the sleep-out and the money raised will be donated to Framework, the Nottingham-based homelessness charity.
Hannah Oxley, 11, who is a member of 1st Gedling Guides said she found the conditions challenging.
She said: “It was hard to sleep, noisy and cold,’
Her friend Ellie Stark (11) was surprised to find that it was “…quite comfy actually!”
Layla Bee (11), also a member of 1st Gedling Guides shared the views of many who took part.
She said: “I’d like to do it again if I had a bigger box, and I’d bring more layers and more socks.”
Girlguiding Nottinghamshire is recruiting additional adult volunteers in order to whittle down the waiting lists and create more events and opportunities like the Night in a Box for girls and young women all over the county. Anyone interested in finding out what’s involved is invited to call 0115 987 7220 or visit www.girlguidingnottinghamshire.org.uk
For details on Framework and its work with the homeless in Nottingham, visit www.frameworkha.org
