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I was pleased to take part in the Sleep Easy event at YMCA MK on Friday 16th March. After a busy Day of Action and Citizens:mk Assembly (www.citizensmk.org.uk/2018/03/19/house-the-homeless-day-of-action-16-3-18/), I was pleased just to sit for a bit between 10 and 11pm, listen to the excellent live Ian Roberts band and shlurp coffee.
The atmosphere was good as the remaining 15 of us started figuring out where to pitch our cardboard and sleeping bags in the YMCA garden area. This wasn't going to be real sleeping rough, where you really vulnerable when you're asleep, but it sure was cold out..
I put on some long johns and extra sweaters, then wriggled into not one but two sleeping bags before sausaging into my elongated cardboard coffin (three boxes gaffer-taped together with the help of resident Alex).
So far so good. I fitted. And after a bit, finding I wasn't all that claustrophobic despite barely being able to move, I started trying to get to sleep.
I didn't really manage it. For hours it felt like I was more awake than asleep and, not being able to see my watch easily, I started wishing for daylight...then dozed off.
Suddenly I was woken by someone falling on me. Seriously. Must have been one of the other volunteers losing his way back from a pee. It didn't hurt but gave me a shock and made me realise how vulnerable you are when sleeping out.
As daylight got closer, light snow started falling. I didn't want to get up but I needed a pee and, after umming about it, I wriggled out and headed inside the YMCA building.
Alex saw me coming and immediately offered to make me a tea. I didn't realise this was the end of my rough sleep, but soon others were appearing (it was about 6am) and Christine was cooking breakfast.
So I stayed on a couple of hours sharing stories of the night over bread rolls and bacon.
It sounds weird to say I enjoyed sleeping out in the cold for a night, but I did. YMCA's mission makes me feel warm.
Big thanks to all sponsors.
