Homeless event sees 165 people sleep out at Molineux stadium

Carl Ikeme said the sleepout was about solidarity, support and awareness

One hundred and sixty five people braved the cold and slept out at Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux on Friday.

Organised by the Wolves Foundation, the sleepout raised more than £30,000 for rough sleepers in the city.

Former Wolves goalkeeper Carl Ikeme, an ambassador for charity Good Shepherd, was there alongside musician Reepa.

Mr Ikeme said the sleepout was to show "solidarity, support and awareness" of homelessness.

"I remember visiting the Good Shepherd about 10 years ago and I was surprised by how many people used them," Mr Ikeme added.

About 165 people took part in the sleepout

The money raised will go to Good Shepherd and the Wolves Foundation.

"Wolves is an amazing community and they do come together for these sorts of causes," Mr Ikeme said.

Reepa, from the Heath Town area of the city, said the exposure the football club offers will hopefully help raise more awareness of the issue.

Musician Reepa said spreading awareness of homelessness is the most valuable aspect of the event

"As well as raising money it is awareness, I think awareness is more valuable than the money," he said.

"This is Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club, the biggest platform the city has to offer.

"The exposure that we can offer and the awareness that we can raise... is second to none."

Head of Wolves Foundation, Will Clowes, said while the sleepout has an element of fun about it, it is also "the realisation that sleeping outside is difficult and challenging".

Mr Clowes said he hopes the final total raised will be £50,000.

The mayor of Wolverhampton said the sleepout was one of the most important nights of the year for the city

Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Michael Hardacre, said it is "one of the most important nights of the year".

He said that "271,000 people in England are homeless one way or another, that is actually equivalent to the whole population of Wolverhampton".

Dr Hardacre said while "we have virtually eliminated it in Wolverhampton", more needs to be done.