Hundreds raised as man sleeps rough on Rhyl High Street for charity

Richard Kendrick took part in Royal British Legion Industries’ (RBLI) “Great Tommy Sleep Out” on Rhyl High Street, from 11am on Saturday until about 4am the following day, raising more than £200 in doing so.

Alyssa Dean, a Prestatyn girl known for having made more than 400 survival blankets out of used crisp packets, also donated one to Richard for his challenge.

Richard and Alyssa with the crisp packet blanket she made for him (Image: Darlene Fallorina)

He then completed another sleepout in his garden last night, and will be repeating Saturday’s efforts this weekend, when he sleeps rough on Prestatyn High Street and Parc Prestatyn retail park on March 18.

This challenge sees participants face the cold for a night in March in aid of the roughly 6,000 military veterans living on the streets in the UK.

It comes on the back of Richard completing his role as Rhyl’s Poppy Appeal Organiser, during which time he raised £212,835.24 in two years.

Richard also raised hundreds of pounds when he completed the same challenge on Rhyl’s High Street last year.

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Man who raised £212,000 in two years to sleep rough in Rhyl and Prestatyn

He said: “It was tougher and a lot colder than last year. It started snowing, and the rain was just constant; I was absolutely soaked. I couldn’t find my all-weather trousers, so my legs were frozen.

“Somebody came along and gave me some gloves, and another lady gave me an umbrella, to keep me going.

“You realise how hard it is for people who are actually homeless. I couldn’t sit still; my legs were hurting, so I had to keep standing up. All I had was a sleeping bag.

“We raised £206.80, which I thought was really good, especially since the weather was so wet. It was nice that so many people came over to see me; that keeps you going.”

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Richard started his sleepout outside the town’s Poundland store, before moving up to by the White Rose Centre, and then by KFC.

From about 8pm onwards, he was also joined by two veterans.

Richard will still be volunteering and helping the Royal British Legion, and will continue to raise funds for the charity, despite not carrying on in the same role.

Funds raised from his sleepouts will be shared between Rhyl Foodbank, Big Help Project (homeless charity which Richard works for), and the RBLI.

To donate, go to: www.gofundme.com/f/supporting-local-people-who-are-homeless.