A Solihull businessman is preparing to join the Big Birmingham SleepOut this Friday (November 29th, 2019) in aid of city-based homeless charity St Basil’s.
Elliott Robinson, owner of oven valeting service Ovenu Solihull, will join hundreds of other fundraisers to spend a night beneath the stars in the grounds of Birmingham Cathedral.
There, they will be challenged to build a shelter out of cardboard and plastic sheeting, before settling down for the night.
Elliott said: “This is the first time I’ve done anything like this, and I must admit I really hope the weather will be kind, although I’m ready for anything – with lots of thermals, waterproofs and a decent sleeping bag.
“I’m not sure what to expect, other than an uncomfortable and restless night, but it will give me an insight into what it really means to be homeless.
“I hope the SleepOut will raise both funds and awareness of all those who, for a variety of reasons, find themselves in such a bleak situation night after night.”
St Basil’s works with young people aged 16 to 25 who are homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless and provides a full range of prevention, accommodation, support and engagement services.
It houses more than 1,000 people in Birmingham and more than 1,500 across the West Midlands throughout 34 supported accommodation schemes
Elliott is also supporting the charity in other ways, offering the use of his van and his time for a day, as well as distributing its promotional leaflets.
He has been an Ovenu franchisee since 2007, covering an area including Olton, Dickens Heath, Shirley, Dorridge, Hillfields, Tidbury Green, Chelmsley Wood, Elmdon, Meriden, Balsall Common and beyond.
Rik Hellewell, founder and managing director of Ovenu, said: “It’s great to see Elliott committed to supporting his community and this very worthwhile cause.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor Elliott can visit his Just Giving page: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Sharon-Robinson43
To contact Ovenu Solihull call 0121 706 6652, visit https://www.ovenu.co.uk/oven_cleaning/solihull/ or email solihull@ovenu.co.uk
