Nigel Clough amongst participants at Bramall Lane sleepout

14th April 2015

Blades manager Nigel Clough was amongst the participants as more than 150 people took part in a sponsored sleepout at Bramall Lane.

The event, named Sleepout United the first of its kind at Bramall Lane could provide a boost of more than £10,000 to local homeless charities Roundabout and St Wilfrid's Centre. Club staff - including Managing Director Mal Brannigan and Head of Finance Richard Poole joined Blades fans from across the region in using cardboard and sleeping bags to spend the night in designated areas around the stadium. Nigel Clough said: -Sheffield United will always pride itself on being a family club. We enjoy wonderful relationships with the local community and we're proud to support two fantastic causes in Roundabout and St. Wilfrid's. -Sleepout United has given participants a taste of sleeping rough but it is nowhere near as tough as it can be if you're doing it night after night. I hope the event has gone some way to raising both funds and awareness for both charities. -There was a wonderful atmosphere on the night and I was delighted to share the experience with a number of our fans. The evening saw entertainment in the shape of performances from the Dinnington Colliery Brass Band and Bolsterstone Male Voice Choir who were joined at the end of their set by participants in a rousing rendition of the Greasy Chip Butty Song, whilst Coronation Street actor Joe Duttine and former Blades legend Tony Currie came along to talk to participants in the stands. Lights then went out at 11pm before the event was brought to a close at 7am the following morning. One of the organisers of the event, Amy Casbolt, fundraising co-ordinator at Roundabout, said: -Sleepout United has been a tremendous success. -Events such as these are vital for charities such as Roundabout and St. Wilfrid's as the funds raised helps to keep our services running. -Raising awareness of the ever increasing problem of homelessness is also important as there are a lot of vulnerable people young and old in the city that need our support. -They may be struggling to find accommodation or rough sleeping and this sort of event - although not the same as being homeless - does help to raise awareness and make you think about what it might be like to not have a bed for the night. Other participants included Miss South Yorkshire, Stephanie Hill, and managing director of the Club's back-of-shirt sponsors DBL Logistics, Dave Clarkson, who has fundraised more than £2,000 by taking part. Dave Clarkson said: -Sleepout United was a superb event and it was fantastic to see Club staff members such as Nigel Clough and Mal Brannigan take part, which is a true reflection of Sheffield United's community values. -I'd like to thank everyone who has donated to the cause and I hope it goes some way to boosting both of these wonderful local charities. Roundabout provides assistance to more than 150 homeless young people in Sheffield aged 16-25 every day. The charity provides shelter, support and life skills, and offers advice and family mediation for those at risk of losing their home. St Wilfrid's Centre, located on Queens Road, supports homeless, vulnerable and socially excluded adults in Sheffield, providing essential welfare services including food and clothing, together with personal development activities to develop life, social and employability skills for up to 60 clients every weekday. Footage from Sleepout United can be viewed on Sheffield United's YouTube channel and on Blades Player: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqBmzMaB0cA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoGFz-3xZPM