VETERAN Davy Marshall has braved the elements to raise over £2800 for his fellow ex-servicemen.
The 58-year-old from Kirkcowan spent four nights in December sleeping out on the streets of Newton Stewart in order to raise awareness of the plight of homeless veterans in the UK.
As a member of the Newton Stewart branch of the RBLS, the cause is one close to Davy’s heart but his four nights out on the streets in the depths of winter certainly came with their challenges.
He explained: “During my time sleeping out, the major challenge was the weather, which was freezing for the first two days, and then very wet and windy. But at night there were also the rats which come from the river, interested in the rubbish bins.”
Davy pitched his tent in the car parks of Sainsbury’s and Aldi’s, but found sleeping difficult because as ‘the car park next to Sainsbury’s comes alive at night with lorries’.
But he persisted and his efforts were commended by residents, with many sharing stories of relatives or offering a warmth in form of hot drinks and soup. He was especially grateful for the daily cuppa brought to him every morning by Craig from the Belted Galloway café.
Davy added: “It really stunned me how supportive and generous the people of Newton Stewart were, I sat there with my milk churn, and so many people I spoke to had relatives who were or had been veterans from the first world war right through to the present conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan. Honestly. their generosity knew no bounds, from gifts of cash to offers of hot soup and tea. It really was amazing to see and experience the love and support the branch has in the area.”
Davy smashed his £2500 target, bringing in a total of £2850.16, which will be distributed by the RBLS Newton Stewart to various veterans’ charities.
His fundraising efforts continue this Sunday with the ‘All Stars Tribute Show’ at the Creebridge House Hotel. The show has come over from Northern Ireland entertain audiences with a three-hour extravaganza, with tributes to Showaddywaddy, Bay City Rollers, Jersey Boys, Elton John, Cher, Shania Twain, Garth Brooks and many more. For more information contact Creebridge House Hotel, Laura’s gift shop, the Belted Galloway café and the Brigend Pantry, or call 07725 169225.
