Bosses at St Mirren Football Club will tonight endure a different pitch-side experience as the sleep outside and raise awareness of homelessness.
The club’s chairman John Needham and the women’s manager Kate Cooper will join fans in sleeping in temperatures of six degrees and pouring rain to raise funds for Shelter Scotland and St Mirren Charitable Foundation.
The second St Mirren Sleep Out be held in the SMiSA stadium, the event was first held last year at the request of the black army.
A number of fans spent the night under the stars with nothing more than a sleeping bag to keep them warm.
But this year they will be joined by John and Kate who are dedicated to raising both awareness and cash for those who sleep outside in freezing temperatures for months on end.
Gayle Brannigan, chief executive of St Mirren FC Charitable Foundation, has organised the event and is also set to join the volunteers pitch-side between 7pm and 7am.
Speaking before the event she said: “When we said we were doing it again so many fans said I will do it.
“For fans they like being in the stadium but it will not be a comfortable experience.
“We have given them a list of clothing such as scarves and gloves, but, apart from that, all we give them is a ground mat to sleep on.
“There are no additional comforts and that’s the reality for people who sleep outside.
“They don’t have food, they are really struggling in very challenging circumstances. Most of them don’t even feel safe never mind anything else.
“This experience will be as close to that reality as we can safely make it.”
The event is taking place today, March 17 , a date the black army has dubbed Saints Day as it marks the anniversary of when the Buddies lifted the Scottish League Cup.
During the Covid-19 pandemic fans donned their black and white stripes and made a donation to charity to mark the occasion.
But when the social restrictions were lifted fans suggested the club adopt the sleep out fundraiser instead.
“This is completely fan driven,” Gayle added.
“We recognise that many of us are very, very fortunate to have warm homes to go home to.
“We want this to raise awareness of the people who benefit from the services offered by Shelter Scotland and similar charities and we’re very grateful for all donations.”
The event had, as of Friday morning, already raised £4,000.
To donate, log on to https://gofund.me/8a5b4eee
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