KIND-HEARTED campaigners braved a night outside a Barmouth Church to raise funds and awareness to help refugees in dire circumstances.

Five participants slept outside St David’s church in the coastal town in a show of solidarity with refugees facing life-threatening conditions with little equipment and sub-zero temperatures in camps across Europe and Asia.

Poignantly, on the same night the sleepout occurred (Friday, 22 January) over 40 men, women and children tragically lost their lives at sea whilst trying to reach the safety of Europe, highlighting the awful situation the migrants are dealing with everyday.

As it stands, thousands of displaced people are fleeing their war-torn countries and inhuman terrorist groups such as Daesh.

Although the overnight group managed to raise well over £300 with their show of compassion, the main aim of the sleepout was to raise St Davids profile as a collection point for vital donations.

Reverend Beth Bailey, who organised the event, explained: “It was all very last minute but I really felt I ought to do something.

“I know several young people who are out volunteering in refugee camps across Europe and I wanted to try and support them in any way I could.

“I received a latter from one of the volunteers recently and it broke my heart, it really did keep me awake at night.

“So I began to think about ways we could raise our profile as a collection point for urgently needed equipment.

“A sleepout seemed like a fitting way to boost awareness, I was expecting to do it by myself but it was a real treat to be joined by some of my friends.”

Reverend Bailey was supported on the evening by fellow campaigners Sara Roberts, Nate Holmes, Susan Booth and Anna Jane Evans.

The quintet was also joined by Ysgol y Traeth’s mascot Teddy who, along with donations from the school, also stayed out all night.

“There was another reason we did our sleepout as well,” the recently appointed church official continued.

“It was an opportunity for us to engage with people and discuss some of the more negative views which some people have regarding the refugee crisis.

“I had some very challenging conversations throughout the evening but it was good to see people really delving into the issues.

“I think most people are very compassionate and understand that the refugees are simply people like us running away from terrible things that they have no power to control.

“We’ll be collecting donations for refugees for as long as needs be, I urge anyone with anything they can spare to drop it off at the church at their convenience.”

For more info, please visit www.barmouth.church/solidarity-sleepout/.

Reverend Bailey would like to thank the individuals and businesses which helped the team complete their overnight stint.