The national initiative, organised by the RBLI (Royal British Legion Industries), aims to raise vital funding to support the estimated 6,000 veterans that are experiencing homelessness in the UK.
Air & Defence College lecturer Dave Robins and Head of Estates Development Nick Pettit, both former army veterans, are set to brave the elements by sleeping out under the stars in a bid to raise as much money as possible.
Dave said: “The Great Tommy Sleep Out is about highlighting the fact that not everyone leaves the forces with a full pension and lots of gratuity - people can fall very quickly into homelessness and we want to highlight this at a local level.
“It can happen quickly and for lots of different reasons such as PTSD and the individual themselves not realising how much they’ve been affected until they’re back in civilian life – there are lots of different pressures and lots of different struggles that can really be very hard to prepare for.”
Dave, who will be sleeping out in the open air in his sleeping bag, says the group will be taking part in the fundraiser on March 18 in the grounds of Lincoln College and hopes more supporters will be joining him as well as take part in the event remotely from their own gardens by sleeping in homemade shelters, tents or just beneath the stars.
“The more people we can get helping raise money the better and we’re looking to get students involved as well who can use our JustGiving link.”
To help Dave and his team raise as much money as possible and to find out more, visit his JustGiving page here justgiving.com
You can get involved yourself by contacting Dave via email - drobins@lincolncollege.ac.uk
