A former solider is sleeping outdoors for the entire month to raise money for homeless veterans – and smashed his fundraising goal in just one day,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gary Devonport is currently on his sixth night of sleeping outside at his home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 40-year-old firefighter is taking part in The Great Tommy sleep out , a national award fundraising challenge designed to support veterans that are experiencing homelessness in the UK right now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Devonport said: \u201cOriginally my fundraising goal was \u00a3600, but I smashed that in a day, so I\u2019ve put it up to \u00a33000. I\u2019m at around \u00a31600 now, so not too far\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Devonport is spending his nights in a sleeping bag under tarpaulin, in his garden. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cThe first couple of nights were pretty cold, the sleeping is not too bad, it’s just the noise .<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt could be seen as a bit of a hardship that I am enduring, but if truth be told I think it is quite small compared to what some people might go through.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Devonport\u2019s experience of serving the armed forces for six years as a former soldier inspired him to do this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He said: \u201cThe transition from being in the military career to normal life is hard, you\u2019ve got some soldiers who may not even have ever had to write a CV. And if you don\u2019t know where to access the support it could potentially lead to being on the streets.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Devonport encouraged people to try and support veterans more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He added: \u201cI\u2019d suggest to speak to them , but maybe the ones who have struggled, and find out what their issues are and see if you can help to break them barriers down.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Devonport said the sleep out was \u201can impulsive thing . But depending on how the rest of the month goes it may be something I build upon in future years.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n