A HOLSWORTHY town councillor is preparing to sleep rough next year in order to help raise money to support military veterans.

Cllr Debbie De Ste Croix says her own experiences of being homeless has inspired her to take part in the ‘Great Tommy Sleep Out’ to raise money that will go towards helping veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes to remain safe and obtain the support they need to start again.

She is hoping to get 100 people to join her in sleeping out in the open in Holsworthy, with the plan being for each person taking part raising £100 each.

Alternatively, people who wish to contribute can come along to the evening – at a venue yet to be confirmed – to meet everyone taking part and hand over donations in person.

Cllr De Ste Croix told The Post: “So In 2011, I lost my farm and my home. and for three months, my husband Nathan and I lived in a tent with our two dogs.

“After the Sleep Out, I’ll get to go home. In 2011, I would have given anything to do that.

“That’s why I’m organising the Great Tommy Sleep Out in Holsworthy on Saturday, March 20, 2027, with the venue to be announced. We’re raising money to help veterans who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes get somewhere safe to stay and the support they need to start again.

“People can pledge to sleep out with us and get sponsored or hold their own fundraiser and come along on the evening to hand over your donations and meet everyone, my aim is to get 100 people sleeping out in the open raising £100 each, we will have a contingency plan if the weather is really horrible.

“My email to express an interest is [email protected]”

Anyone who wishes to donate to Cllr De Ste Croix’s fundraising can do so at www.sleepout.rbve.org.uk/fundraisers/debbiedestecroix