The Crown Oil Arena is hosting the ‘The Rough Sleeper’ event later this month.
The charity event, organised by the Rochdale AFC’s Military Veterans team in conjunction with Rochdale AFC Community Trust, is raising money for the Trust and Helping Homeless Veterans UK.
Over 40 people have already signed up for the Rough Sleeper on Friday 19th November but there’s still time to get involved. If you’d like to take part, please email Their4UFundraising@hotmail.com.
Adam Trennery, who left the navy in 2016 and helped set up the club’s Military Veterans team two years ago, is organising the event. He says this is something that’s close to his heart.
“I founded the Rochdale AFC Military Veterans in 2019 and from then on in it has continued to progress. We run it like a family,” said Adam.
“Our relationship with the Community Trust and the club has continued to grow and this felt like a great opportunity to raise money for the two charities.
“Because we are all ex-military, Helping Homeless Veterans UK is a charity that is close to everyone’s hearts. They do loads of work nationwide to take Military Vets off the street and getting them into accommodation, both in the short-term and in the long-term.
“It’s a great cause and I’m really pleased that so many people have signed up already. Hopefully we can raise awareness and a lot of money.”
Those taking part in the event will sleep outside in the Smith Metals Stand at the Crown Oil Arena, from 7pm-7am, with just a sleeping bag or quilt for warmth.
Director Richard Knight is amongst those getting involved. He explains why he wanted to support the fundraiser.
“After becoming a Director, I met Adam at one of the early club get togethers and we got on really well. Since then, I have taken an interest in what the Rochdale AFC Military Veterans have been doing and are doing, and I try to support them or help out wherever I can.
“The Rochdale AFC Community Trust and Military Veterans team are integral part of the club. We like to pride ourselves on being a community club and that’s something Chairman Simon Gauge is trying to foster even more. Events like these that can bring the club and the whole of the Rochdale Community together so that we can keep working forward and make the town a better place for all.
“The problem is I’m nesh, which is a Yorkshire word for soft, so it’s going to be a bit of challenge for me. But I know that we’re just experiencing a tiny part of what homeless people have to go through on a daily basis. We’re also lucky enough to have the safety of the stadium, something that those living on the street don’t have.
“The good thing that’s going to come out of this is the money that’s going to be raised. I’m doing the Sleep Out in conjunction with a friend of mine through work, Brian Conway. We initially set a target of £1,000 and we’ve passed that fairly easy. We set then set a target of £2,000 and we’ve now surpassed that, so we’ve now increased it up to £4,000. I know there will be lots of people contributing and I hope that the fans will get behind me, as I know how generous our supporters can be. Every little helps, whether it be £1 or £2 or whatever anyone can afford.”
You can sponsor Adam and Richard and the team > https://www.gofundme.com/f/rough-sleeper.
Find their dedicated page on Facebook.
Good luck to everyone involved!