A schoolgirl is sleeping in her garden with her mum to raise money to help veterans in need.
Angel Santos, 8, will sleep out for one night for every £100 raised of her £500 target for the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI). She began her sleep out on midnight on April 1 with her mum Anne and friend Mason, 8.
Following in the footsteps of her father, Angel’s mum Anne has been raising funds for various causes over the years and along with her eldest daughter Crystal, 16, they’ve raised funds for Cash for Kids and various homeless charities.
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Angel told the ECHO: "Mummy does a lot of fundraising and I have joined her when I can but was always too young. This year Mummy is allowing me to get more involved".
After her first night sleeping out, watched over by mascot Barry Bear, Angel said: “It was really cool and I liked how the rain was pattering on the tent. It was a little cold, but I was snuggled up”.
Her mum was scrolling Facebook as Angel watched when they came across The Great Tommy Sleepout on the RBLI page. She took an interest and was eager to help, worried by what she had learned about the plight of homeless veterans.
Angel said: "It's not right, they fought for us to be free but no one is helping them. I want to help, they need more help. Why don't people care? They fought for our freedom, so how can they be homeless?"
Anne, from Litherland, said: "Angel asked what mental health is and told her they have to see some horrible things when they go to war like dead bodies and people drinking very dirty water. That makes them very sick. Horrible sights stay in their head and they can't get rid of it, a bit like a nightmare."
The Great Tommy Sleep Out sees individuals, groups of people, elderly and even babies with their families raising money by sleeping in various locations overnight. They sleep in forests, benches, doorways, around war memorials and like Angel, in their gardens.
Angel regularly stops to talk to people she sees on the streets when out with her mum and asks for change to give to them and even gives up her pocket money sometimes. On one of the nights Angel will be joined by Barry who is retiring soon from the army. Angel's mascot Barry Bear is named in his honour.
Barry said: "I'm very proud of Angel and what she’s doing and also everyone else is doing the sleepout, as it’s a great cause. Given angels age as to what she's doing Ii'm made up with the fact she is aware of the problem.”
Angel’s friend, Mason 8 said: "I think it's going to be nice having someone around me, and having time with friends. I feel happy for the soldiers so they can get more stuff and equipment that will help them".
Anne added: "Angel has inspired me and I’m really proud of her and what she is doing. She has really taken to it and gone above and beyond.
"She has took knockbacks but has just got up and got on with it. I can’t wait to see what she does in the future".
For donations visit Angel's Facebook page The Great Tommy Sleep Out HERE
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