TWO best friends from Lochmaben have smashed their fundraising goal, raising over £1400 for Shelter by sleeping outside.
Bobbi Brown and Veda Shields-Burns, both 11, braved the cold weather last Friday night for their sponsored sleep out to fundraise for the housing charity which helps find accommodation for those in need.
The girls and Bobbi’s mum Abbie set up camp at 8.30 pm on Friday night without a tent but were armed with thermals as well as warm kit donated by their sponsors which included military sleeping bags, gloves, hot water bottles and some Santa hats to bring a fun festive factor to their sleep out.
Abbie stayed out with the girls throughout the night and never heard them complain, she said: “Bobbi and Veda’s Sleep out for Shelter was a huge success! What a challenge they both had ahead of them in the cold and she was nippy! It was fairly on the mild side initially for the time of year but that changed. Come 4 am a full moon and the stars were beaming down on the girls with a hard frost covering the cars by morning.
“I woke nearly every hour checking on the girls and to my disbelief at 4 am they were both fast asleep. These girls were making this look very easy and the task in hand was far from it. I was so proud in that moment. At 5.30 am I got a wee tap on the shoulder from Bobbi, ‘Mum, can you fill our hot water bottles up?’
“Not once did Bobbi or Veda complain it was too cold. I’m well impressed. So I filled their hot water bottles up and got our heads back down for another wee hour or two until morning where both girls were rewarded for their efforts with a lovely hot cooked breakfast.”
Initially the schoolgirls set themselves a goal of £300 but they have now raised over five times that amount, with the total standing at £1441. Some funds are still to be counted so they hope to reach £1500 for the charity.
Both Abbie and Veda’s mum Victoria are beaming with pride at their girls’ effort and wished to thank everyone who supported them. Abbie added: “What an achievement girls. A huge well done from everyone who has supported you with your challenge.
“And the girls wish to share their gratitude with all who helped them reach their goal and beyond. They are over the moon to be helping families supported by Shelter Scotland with the funds raised.”
