TWO Llandrindod Wells men have spoken of their sobering experience after spending a freezing cold night sleeping rough on the streets of the spa town.

Richard Vellacott and Jake Berriman spent an uncomfortable 24 hours on the streets last weekend, amidst temperatures that plummeted to -6, in a bid to raise awareness of homelessness and as part of the Royal British Legion Industries’ Great Tommy Sleep Out.

The Great Tommy Sleep Out is a fundraising challenge supporting an estimated 6,000 veterans experiencing homelessness in the UK.

Jake described it as being “perishingly cold” outside and said he woke up after managing a couple of hours sleep on Saturday morning, December 2, to be greeted by frost on the inside of his sleep pod.

Richard, meanwhile, said he was grateful for food and warm drinks provided by locals, as well as advice from a local veteran who supplied tips and guidance for how best to keep warm in sub-zero temperatures.

County Times: Jake and Richard outside Spar in Landrindod, with Richard testing out one of the sleep pods provided by Helping our Homeless Wales. Jake and Richard outside Spar in Landrindod, with Richard testing out one of the sleep pods provided by Helping our Homeless Wales. (Image: Jamie Jones)

Between them, the duo have raised more than £2,000 for homegrown Powys charity Helping Our Homeless Wales, from their online fundraisers and street donations across Friday and Saturday.

Richard, who is the community champion for supermarket chain Tesco in Radnorshire and has been participating in the sleepout for the last three years, said: “My grandfather, when he left the Second World War in 1945, was homeless for two years and couldn’t find his family.

“Eventually, he did find them and he managed to get back on track.

“Plus, I also have a lot of friends who are ex-forces who have been sofa surfing and have been homeless, so it’s a thank you to them for their service; this is the least I could do.”

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He added: “Many thanks to all that came to see us and have a chat, offers of food and hot drinks and flasks.

“Big shout outs go to Sarah Mason and Hayley Simcock of Helping our Homeless Wales for the use of the sleeping pods, J O Davies Spar Llandrindod and their staff for the use of their facilities during the day and Llandrindod Royal British Legion for allowing us to sleep outside the club and use it as a warm space in the evening.

“Also, thanks to veteran David Rawsthorne for the tips and guidance on how best to keep warm in below zero temperatures and to Llandrindod mayor Marcia Morgan for dropping in and giving a donation to both charities and words of encouragement.

“And a massive thank you to you all for your kind donations, either online or on the street.”

Richard and Jake began their 24 hours at 12 noon on Friday, outside the town’s Spar store, finishing at midday on Saturday.

Jake, a county councillor, said he was inspired to spend a night sleeping rough by the cost-of-living pressures experienced by many, as well as rising housing costs and cuts to services.

“It was quite a sobering experience,” said Jake.

“Once we wriggled into our sleeping bags, sometime after midnight, it was actually quite snug. I struggled to sleep, however, much too aware of all the strange sounds of a town at night.

“Still awake at 3am I finally had to get out to answer a call of nature and discovered it was perishingly cold outside and I had frost on the inside of the sleep pod.

“Thankfully I slept until about 7am, but couldn’t sleep again for thinking about a fried breakfast at the cafe when it opened at 8.30am. It was the best fry-up ever."

He added: “It was ever so humbling for us both and we were so grateful we had the option to walk away from our voluntary sleep out, acknowledging that it’s not so easy for everyone.”

Both men are members of the Llandrindod Royal British Legion branch and Jake says he has already promised Richard he will return the favour in supporting his Great Tommy Sleep Out in March 2024.

You can still donate to the cause. Jake’s ‘Cllr. Jake's fundraiser for Helping our Homeless Wales Charity’ fundraising page can be found on Facebook.

Richard’s Just Giving page will continue to be active until the beginning of next April, as he will be taking part again in March. Visit his page at https://www.justgiving.com/page/richard-vellacott-1701200362722.