Shropshire MP sleeps rough to raise £8,000 for homelessness charity
Julia Buckley joined the Big Shropshire Sleep Out to support Shrewsbury Ark and its work with people experiencing homelessness
The familiar warmth and all the comforts of home were set aside by a Shropshire MP who instead slept on tarmac in the open air to raise money for a local charity.
Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley joined more than a dozen others who together raised around £8,000 for the Big Shropshire Sleep Out 2026 in support of the Shrewsbury Ark and its services for those experiencing homelessness.
She said: “While one night outside can obviously never replicate the reality faced by people without a safe place to call home, the event was a powerful reminder of why we must continue raising awareness and supporting organisations working to tackle homelessness.
“It was inspiring to see so many people come together in support of this important cause.
“And a huge thank you to all the participants, organisers and supporters who helped make the event such a success.”
The Ark, based in Castle Foregate, is run by a dedicated team of staff and around 50 volunteers, and provides 6,500 hours of person-centred support each year.
It also provides around 11,000 hot meals each year and offers support and advice on benefits and employment, housing options, help with form-filling and administration, addiction and mental health issues, and tenancy readiness programmes.
Ark volunteers work with people to identify goals and work out what clients need to do to achieve them, putting in place a personal action plan.
A spokesperson for The Ark said: “We are guided by the principles of compassion, dignity, and community. We are proud to have ongoing support from some of the original founders who first brought this vision to life in 1972.”
Sponsorship is welcome at: peoplesfundraising.com/fundraising/julia-doing-the-big-sleep-out