Homeless support agencies reported that around 3,500 people slept rough in London last year, which is almost half the number of rough sleepers in the whole of the UK. The life expectancy of a long-term rough sleeper is only 42 years, compared to 79 years for the average UK citizen.
A homeless rough sleeper is 35 times more likely to commit suicide than the average person in the UK.
One of our supporters, Jonathan Bridges is running to raise money for Crossover. He writes:
“After working in an office for over 9 months with a man who ran 52Marathons in a year and many people who have run marathons and swam for miles upon miles. I’ve finally decided it’s my turn to do something unnatural for any human body.
The average life expectancy a long-term rough sleeper is 42. My last name is BRIDGES. I HATE (but secretly love) the word HASHTAG.
My brain can only put three things together….so I’ve come up with…. #42BRIDGES.
At the beginning of June I’ve decided to ‘run’ over 42BRIDGES in and around London – covering a total distance of over 34miles! mad. Mad. MAD. I KNOW!
I’m raising money for Safehaven (a weekly Saturday soup kitchen supporting the homeless in Brighton) and Crossover (a homeless charity also based in Brighton who wish to buy a burger van so they can deliver food to the street community). I volunteer at Safehaven nearly every week and am always astonished that what I would consider to be nothing can mean so much to someone.
If you wish to read more you can view my blog at: http://42bridges.tumblr.com/
You can view the route at: http://www.mapmyride.com/gb/richmond-eng/42bridges-draft-route-184682832
(I’ll be starting at Richmond Bridge and (hopefully) ending up at Tower Bridges).
I’m not one to ask for money, but if you wish to sponsor me, I would greatly appreciate it and the thought of what that money could do will keep me going.
Please visit: http://www.justgiving.com/42bridges
Or text: BRID84 £3 (or any amount) to 70070
Feel free to pass this around to whomever.
Many thanks for reading and any support given,
Jonathan”
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