Campaigners sleep rough outside the Union

Chilly and charitable


Cold campaigners slept outside the Union building last night to raise awareness for destitute refugees in Leeds.

Many braved the biting Yorkshire night for twelve hours in a joint effort from HOMED, Student Action for Refugees (STAR) and Amnesty International.

Live music and spoken word performances brought a relaxed vibe to proceedings as temperatures reached as low as four degrees Celsius.

English and Theatre fresher Ruth Parker said: “I’ve got a sleeping bag and a spare scarf and hat, I’ll try and make it through to morning but I’m scared.

“Fortunately, there is a lot of food”

Fellow first-year and STAR member Charlotte Garforth said: “It’s scary how big the problem of homelessness in Leeds so we came down to help raise awareness for that.”

The night aimed to draw attention to homelessness and destitution in Leeds, particularly that faced by refugees and asylum seekers.

There was a foodbank set up at the Union helpdesk with money raised going towards HOMED and STAR.