Why I'm running to raise money for rough sleepers
I'll be running for Kristian, Sam, Chris and George at the 16:15 Charity Run in May
The life expectancy for rough sleepers is just 45 for men and 43 for women.
While on our streets they have to deal with everything from addiction to abuse on a daily basis.
They are spat at, raped, verbally abused, ignored and dismissed. They are stripped of the dignity they inherently deserve - and the chances in life which so many of us take for granted.
That’s why I and others will be running the 16:15 Charity Fun Run at Northampton’s Racecourse on Saturday, May 20.
When I worked as a reporter in Northampton, I often covered stories on homelessness and rough sleeping.
I was privileged to meet and talk to some of the people on our streets, learning their real stories and discovering how easy it is for anyone to end up in the same situation.
Sadly, many of the people I spoke to endured horrendous suffering, and even death. These stories are all too common, they were just some people I met in Northampton - there are many more people out there in our town, and so many more in the country beyond.
There was the woman who, after suffering abuse all her life, was forced to sleep rough, was raped more times than she could remember and turned to prostitution to survive.
And the man who spent his days sitting by the side of the road and drinking, his addiction a blight he struggled to escape.
He told me how one day he had seen his former best friend - the best man at his wedding - walking down the road. Embarrassed to have to acknowledge the homeless man, this ‘friend’ had quickly passed some change to him, mumbled a couple of words and disappeared as fast as he could.
But these stories are nothing compared to those of people like Kristian Olsteins, Sam Wright or Chris Matthews.
Baby-faced Kristian was often seen hugging a giant teddy bear while asleep on Northampton’s streets.
The Lithuanian - who came to Britain seeking ‘a pot of gold’ and ended up strumming his guitar to earn pennies from passers-by - found himself homeless after he lost his passport.
The harsh life on the streets were too much for Kristian, who passed away after spending several weeks at Northampton Hospital following heart surgery to remove blood clots in an attempt to save his life.
He was 22.
Sam Wright was another well-known face in the town. She died at the age of 42 despite homeless charities and the then borough council trying to help.
I don’t think it is unfair to say Sam was a complicated, and sometimes, combustible character. One leading member of the town’s homeless charity community once told me no-one could work out how to help her as she would be continually ejected from accommodation.
So Sam remained - more often than not - on the streets. And she died there.
I covered Chris Matthews story at Northampton Crown Court following his senseless and brutal murder. He had been failed every step of the way.
Chris was murdered by Spencer Hobson, a known violent and dangerous offender, at a house in Northampton for homeless people recovering from drink and drug problems.
A safeguarding review later found out a risk-assessment had not been carried out on Hobson, who had a history of threatening people with knives. He stabbed Chris, his housemate, to death.
Hobson’s trial had heard that on the night of the murder he had been begging in Northampton, when he argued with a drunk worker from the housing provider who looked after the house he shared with Chris.
Chris had told the worker how Hobson had previously punched him in the face, held a knife to his throat and kicked his door down.
She told Hobson she knew about Chris’ complaints and to "enjoy being homeless".
Hobson went straight back home and killed Chris.
The 16:15 Charity Run - Our Coverage
Running for rough sleepers - Fun runners are encouraged to fundraise for Project 16:15
Running to show the humanity behind every blanket - the story behind the 16:15 Charity Run
Running for rough sleepers - Introducing the 16:15 Charity Run
These three stories are horrendous enough, but I’ve also heard how prisoners and hospital patients are released straight on to the streets on release from those places which are meant to rehabilitate or restore them.
I’ve spoken to rough sleepers who’ve had their tents set on fire, who’ve been kicked or abused by people leaving pubs and nightclubs, and who’ve been shunned by the authorities they hoped would help them because the postcode of their last property didn’t fit the necessary criteria.
That’s why Running Tales and Step Forward With Lewis are putting on the 16:15 Charity Run.
That’s why I’m running it.
The life expectancy for rough sleepers is just 45 for men and 43 for women.
Please help.
I’ll be attempting to run non-stop for six hours at the 16:15 Charity Run. Sponsor me here: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/craig-lewis-project-16-15
About the 16:15 Charity Run
The 16:15 Charity Run, which will raise money to help rough sleepers, will take place between 8am and 2pm on Saturday, May 20 at Northampton’s Racecourse.
Jointly organised by Step Forward With Lewis, Northampton rough sleeper charity Project 16:15 and Running Tales, it will last for six hours but participants can run for as far or as little as they like.
There will be a support tent, marshalled by Stan Robertson from the charity, at the event.
Anyone wishing to take part does not have to sign-up, with people able to just join in on the day.
But they are encouraged to fundraise or donate to the event. A fundraising page set up on behalf of the event and Project 16:15 can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/1615CharityFunRun
Anyone wishing to start their own fundraising pages can do so by visiting that page and clicking on the orange ‘Start Fundraising’ tab.
Drop us a note in the comments if you have any questions.
Thankyou Craig , hard to read the write up but even harder living without them .. proud of you and Thankyou for your support at a very sad time.
Thanks Craig, that is such a thought provoking write up, and really sums up why myself and others do what we do.