Myself and my family are undertaking a 12 hour sleep out in aid of Shelter NI to raise awareness around homelessness across Northern Ireland and to raise funds that will enable Shelter NI to continue to deliver vital projects in our local area. Specifically, we are trying to raise funds for the GABLE Helping Hands Scheme based here in Strabane, the scheme currently helps more than 2000 vulnerable households across DCSDC. This scheme was initially funded by the National Lottery Community Fund but that funding ended in 2022. It currently receives zero government funding towards the costs of providing vital assistance to our older and disabled community members that will enable them to remain safe and independent in their own homes for as long as possible surrounded by their friends and family. Without this service the people we help are more at risk of falls, injuries, hospital admissions or in the worst cases having to leave their homes and move to residential care.