VOLUNTEERS who gave up their evenings to help put a roof over the heads of rough sleepers during the winter have been thanked.

Nine churches across the region opened their doors at night for 25 homeless people from January until Sunday, March 30.

Slough Homeless our Concern (SHOC) and The London and Slough Run (LASR) teamed up for the project, following a rise in homeless sleepers in Slough, as reported by The Observer last year.

Now organisers are rallying the community to dig deep in their pockets so a temporary shelter next year can be run for even longer.

Ray Waite, SHOC chairman, said: “This new community approach has been a great success and already we are planning for next year.

“We are hugely dependent on the community and hope that we could run the programme for an extra month next winter.

“We are looking for local businesses to work with us so that we can provide shelter to more people and help them to find longer-term solutions to help them to get off the streets permanently.” Congregations at the church also prepared hot food and drinks and provided friendship before lights out.

The rough sleepers were then driven back to SHOC the following morning.

John Power, chairman of The London and Slough Run, said: “For 63 nights, we can be grateful that up to 25 people did not have to endure the bitter cold, the rain and winds.

“We know that some of our guests were able to make positive moves to help themselves get off the streets permanently – simply by keeping off the streets at night enabled them to find longer-term solutions.” Mark Johnson, Burnham & Slough Deanery lay chair and volunteer, added: “I felt strangely energised, humble and proud to be one of the team as guests and volunteers worked together.” To donate to help next year’s shelter, visit www.justgiving.com/LondonandSloughRun