Oswestry fundraisers build cardboard village for sleepover

Several teams have already signed up for Oswestry Open House sleep out at Park Hall Showground.

The aim is not only to highlight the problem of homeless people but also to raise funds for quarterly Open House lunch clubs following the success of the Christmas Day event in the town.

Dozens of people who wanted company for Christmas attended the Christmas Lunch at The Centre in Oak Street with volunteers giving up their time to serve their guests a traditional lunch.

Gemma Cassin, one of the organisers, said: "It was such a success that we would now like to hold a Sunday lunch once a quarter at The Centre. We are also looking to run a cafe as a future project."

"We are hoping to team up with supermarkets and food stores to receive donations of food that are past their sell by but obviously not their best by date and our chefs will create hot lunches with the donations."

To launch the Open House events and start building up a fund, the sponsored sleep out will be held on March 22 while teams are being urged to join in the evening activities.

"We are looking for teams of two people or more prepared to help us raise money," said Gemma. "There will be activities at the Spring Lamb venue at the livestock market on Shrewsbury Road in Oswestry including a hot meal and then we will all move on to Park Hall Showground.

"The teams will have to provide their own cardboard, umbrellas and sleeping bags and build their own homes for the night. With the weather always changeable in Britain, particularly in March, we are also stressing that tarpaulins would be a good addition.

"We already have a dozen teams joining us and would like others to take part."

Anyone interested in going along can contact Gemma on 07539 062297 or email oswestryopenhouse@gmail.com