A group of valiant veterans from Immingham have once again braved the biting cold, spending the night in Bluestone Inn’s car park in a bid to raise funds and awareness for their homeless military peers. For the third year running, Harry Smith, a former Royal Navy submariner, organised and partook in the Great Tommy Sleep Out event, swapping his cosy bed for a sleeping bag. All funds raised will be donated to Royal British Legion Industries, a charity supporting homeless ex-service personnel by providing housing. The car park was patriotically adorned with flags and military banners for the event on March 29. Participants slept on cardboard boxes, in tents, or open camper vans, depending on their health. Despite the chill, a fire pit kept spirits high. Smith praised the generosity of Immingham’s residents, who have been supportive of the event. A charity raffle added to the excitement, with 46 donated prizes. So far, the event has raised around £4,500. Notably, young Theo Forward, aged eight, sold his own artwork on greeting cards, contributing £130 to the cause. The event is part of a nationwide initiative run by Royal British Legion Industries each March. Despite the success, the charity reports a record number of requests for its services, highlighting the ongoing need for support for our nation’s veterans.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.
