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homeless

Why did Jimmy sleep on park bench? 150 150 mhamer

Why did Jimmy sleep on park bench?

Jimmy Cricket sleeping on park bench to raise awareness about the homelessFamous comedian Jimmy Cricket has been pictured sleeping on a park bench as part of a campaign to raise awareness about homelessness.

The Rochdale-based funnyman wanted to support the local ‘Chill-Out’ campaign in the town.

The Chill-out group has been concerned about cuts by the Labour-led council which would have see emergency bed provision for the homeless cut from about 500 beds to around 160 and plan their own mass ‘sleep-out’ at Rochdale Town Hall.

Those cuts would also see the introduction of a ‘Dial-a-Bed’ policy for those seeking emergency accommodation.

The Chill-Out group is apolitical but has attracted support from politicians of all parties, including Labour, plus others including concerned members of the public and medical staff.

Its protest was set for Tuesday 29 May to coincide with Rochdale Council’s cabinet meeting with the intention to raise the profile of the issue through peaceful action. Supporters of the campaign were due to meet outside the Town Hall and sleep overnight in tents to highlight the plight of the homeless.

Jimmy read an article in the local Rochdale Observer and thought the ‘sleep-out’ was a great idea.

Unfortunately, it clashes with his summer season at Eastbourne, but he still wanted to show his support so he decided to get a photo of himself sleeping on a park bench in the middle of Rochdale Town Centre!

The night before these photos were taken, Rochdale Council made a number of concessions in relationto its homeless policy in response to the ‘Chill-Out’ campaign.

These pictures are now going to be used for a slightly different purpose because instead of raising awareness, they are now going to be used to highlight this change in approach from Rochdale Council.

Jimmy with the two leaders of the Chill-Out campaign - Peter Hinchcliffe and Shirley Kennedy - alongside group member and former Rochdale Cllr, Jean Ashworth

Jimmy with the two leaders of the Chill-Out campaign - Peter Hinchcliffe and Shirley Kennedy - alongside group member and former Rochdale Cllr, Jean Ashworth

Invited to help the Street Angels 150 150 mhamer

Invited to help the Street Angels
Jimmy Cricket with Paul Blakey MBE, the founder and CEO of Halifax-based charity Street Angels, and the Mayor of Calderdale at the Overgate Hospice's summer garden party

Jimmy Cricket with Paul Blakey MBE, the founder and CEO of Halifax-based charity Street Angels, and the Mayor of Calderdale at the Overgate Hospice's summer garden party

Jimmy Cricket has had a nice invite to do some fund-raising shows for a Halifax-based charity which does some great work for those in need on the streets of the West Yorkshire town.

Paul Blakey MBE, the founder and CEO of Street Angels, sent Jimmy an email after we met recently at the Overgate Hospice’s summer garden party.

He said: “Street Angels was founded by myself in November 2005 in Halifax and has since spread to around 100 towns and cities across the UK.

“We work mainly within the nighttime economy helping those who are or who may become vulnerable – including elderly people leaving the theatre, homeless, those who have had too much to drink, etc…

“As the success of Street Angels grew we developed the CNI Network which helps new towns to start up, offers help and resources, speaks at a national level to Government, Police, etc about the nighttime economy. We have also launched other ideas around community action, including Love Your Streets.

“It would be great if Jimmy would do some concerts for us as fundraising events! One event we started planning last week is a Garden Party in Bedford on Wednesday 26th October – mid to late afternoon with afternoon tea and keynote entertainment. Then maybe a similar event/evening in Halifax for our Northern supporters in November.”