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Former editor sleeps rough to highlight homeless plight

A former daily editor turned media consultant braved the cold to sleep rough for one night to highlight the plight of homeless people.

John Meehan, who was editor of the Hull Daily Mail for 14 years, spent a night sleeping in a shelter made from cardboard boxes in Hull City Centre with other fundraisers.

The annual Sleep Easy event saw fundraisers signing up to raise money for a number of homeless charities across the Humber Region by spending one night in a cardboard shelter.

John, who now runs his own media and communications company based in Hull, said he was proud to have taken part in the event.

“It was certainly far from pleasant sleeping out, exposed to the elements, on a rainy and windy night. I simply can’t imagine what it is like to sleep rough night after night,” he told HTFP.

“I’ve had great support from friends and business contacts, who have helped me raise just over £1,000 so far. Across the Humber region, more than £17,000 has been raised through online donations and we hope the final figure could be twice that amount.

“All funds raised by those who took part in the Sleep Easy fund-raiser in Hull will go towards providing bonds for private accommodation, at an average cost of £250, so that young people can avoid being on the streets.

“It will make a real difference to the lives of young, vulnerable people in this city.”