Chelsea Supporters Sleep Out at Stamford Bridge to Help the Homeless
Hardy fans' chilly night raises £27,000 for Stoll and Glass Door
The funds were raised by 60 members of Chelsea Supporters Trust who volunteered to bed down in the cold, boosting projects which aim to stop other less fortunate people from having to sleep out themselves.
Season ticket holders, members, and even one ex-player snuggled up in their sleeping bags under the floodlights on the concourse of the stadium’s East Stand.
As they arrived at 9pm with sleeping bags, pillows and cardboard boxes, the fans received were given an unexpected boost in the form of a good luck message from none other than Ronnie Wood.
The rock icon, who was performing that night at adjacent club Under the Bridge, stopped to wish those spending the night in it all the best.
Spirits remained good on a chilly November night, with a pep-talk from participant and former Blues star Paul Canoville - who himself experienced a period of homelessness during harder times.
Paul also talked to Glass Door, one of the charities benefiting from the sleep-out, about why the event was close to his heart. You can read his inspiring story here.
After tea and coffee, the Stamford Bridge lights were turned off at 11.30pm. Most of those attending got a few hours’ sleep, but were probably relieved to hear the cries of ‘tea up!’ at 6am.
Afterwards Chelsea Supporters Trust tweeted @ChelseaSTrust: " A massive thank you to all of the #CFC fans who are taking part in our first ever sleep out at Stamford Bridge, all in aid of @GlassDoorLondon and @stoll_veterans."
The event was organised by Chelsea Supporters Trust, with help from H&F’s Head of Housing Mark Meehan, and the charities were chosen specifically because of their local focus.
Stoll helps homeless veterans from its Fulham Road home, which most fans will have passed every time they enter or leave Stamford Bridge as it's right next door.
Glass Door partners-up with churches to help the homeless, including local churches St John's and St Dionis and is well known in the local community.
"This is great work by Chelsea Supporters Trust, which will provide a wonderful boost for the work of both Glass Door and Stoll," said Cllr Sue Fennimore, Deputy Leader of H&F Council.
"This money will go directly towards helping two charities who make a real difference for homeless people. We’re all extremely grateful to those who endured one very cold night to try and stop others from having to endure far more."
November 28, 2019