Wolves stadium sleepout targets record numbers

A charity is calling on a record number of people to sleep overnight in a Premier League football stadium.

The Molineux Sleepout is organised by the Wolves Foundation and homeless charity Good Shepherd, and people are invited to camp out in the Stan Cullis stand at the Wolverhampton Wanderers' football ground.

The event will be held on Friday 14 November, but early-bird tickets are available now.

The foundation's target is to attract more than 200 participants for the first time.

It is the sleepout's seventh year, and more than £250,000 has been raised since it began.

The money goes to both the foundation, which provides outreach to the local community, often through sport, and Good Shepherd, which helps the homeless and vulnerable.

"It is always so heartening to be part of that atmosphere of people wanting to support others, and this year we are aiming to make it the biggest event yet so that the two charities can deliver an even bigger impact," said Tom Warren, general manager of the Wolves Foundation.

Vicky Mosedale, a trainee keyworker at the Good Shepherd, understands how valuable the money would be for the charity.

She gained employment there after completing its Lived Experience into Action Project programme (LEAP), which is open to volunteers who have experienced homelessness, addiction and mental health struggles.

"I've been in my trainee role at the Good Shepherd for just over a year now, and I'm absolutely loving it and going from strength to strength," she said.

"I'm proof that recovery is possible, and I am so grateful and appreciative of this opportunity to grow and make my family proud.

"As someone with lived experience of addiction and mental health issues, I know the difference the funds raised from the sleepout will make to people's lives."

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