Wolves Foundation have presented the Good Shepherd with a cheque for half of the funds from the 2022 Molineux Sleepout, which has smashed £50,000 after the event’s most successful year yet.
Over 150 participants, including special guests and ambassadors for the two charities, took part in the event on November 18, sleeping rough in the Stan Cullis Stand to raise awareness of homelessness and food poverty in Wolverhampton.
One of those participants was Wolves director John Bowater, who accompanied club legend Steve Bull and Wolves Foundation senior manager Tom Warren to hand over the cheque.
Born in the Black Country and a life-long Wolves fan, Mr Bowater took part in the Sleepout with his family, raising a brilliant £4,000 for the cause.
He said: “This is my city, I’ve lived here all my life and I’ve been fortunate in what I’ve been able to do through my career. This is part of my responsibility as a citizen to make sure that I do everything that I can to help and support the people that need it.
“My two girls spurred me on and said this is something you really should be supporting. It has opened my eyes and certainly is going to become an annual event in the Bowater household.
“The Good Shepherd are fantastic and we have to give them all of the support that we possibly can. It’s important that the football club, which I truly believe is the focal point in the city, plays a significant part.”
Good Shepherd key workers Paul Burns and Dawn Walls, who also took part in the Molineux Sleepout, were happy to accept the cheque on the charity’s behalf.
Bowater was then also given a short tour of the Good Shepherd building by business and finance manager, Helen Holloway, taking in the kitchens, food pantry and more.
Tom Hayden, chief executive of the Good Shepherd, said: “We just want to say another big thank you both to Wolves Foundation and everyone who took part in the Sleepout, as well as to all those who made a donation or gave up their time on the night to support the event.
“During these challenging times it was another night which shows just what can be achieved when people across the city come together to support those who are vulnerable and, in doing so, have such a positive impact on the community.
“The incredibly generous funding that the Good Shepherd will receive from the Molineux Sleepout will have really positive outcomes on our service users, many of whom just need support, guidance and the opportunity to show their strengths in order to get back on their feet.
“Once again it was a privilege to be involved in an event which highlights the togetherness and sense of community which is so evident across Wolverhampton.”
Now in it’s fourth year, the latest fundraising brings the annual Molineux Sleepout’s total to approximately £165,000 since the first event in 2019.
As well as helping the Good Shepherd deliver their range of complex services, funds will also support Wolves Foundation projects across the city.
“Each year we feel we may struggle to hit the heights of our last Sleepout, but Wolves fans and the community continue to blow us away with their spirit and generosity”, said head of Wolves Foundation, Will Clowes.
“2022 saw more people taking part than ever before. From fans and former players, to directors and even the city’s Mayor, we were delighted to see everyone come together to make a difference.
“We’re already making plans for ways in which those funds can benefit the local community and we’re also looking forward to making 2023’s event even bigger and better.”
Donations for the Molineux Sleepout remain open until the Saturday 31st December. If you would still like to donate, please head to the event’s JustGiving page here.
