People with lived experience of homelessness are walking, running and jumping the length of London’s Circle Line in a bid to raise funds to help other homeless and vulnerable people through the Covid-19 crisis.
More than a dozen clients from the London-wide homeless charity Single Homeless Project (SHP) are taking on the Circle Challenge, which asks participants to complete the 44,774 step or 21.2 mile length of the Circle Line to support homeless Londoners through the pandemic and beyond.
The money raised will go to SHP’s Coronavirus Emergency Appeal, which so far has raised £205,000 to help to keep homeless and vulnerable people across London safe.
Peter Hunter, 74, is a client at SHP’s community-based support service in Islington.
Earlier in life, Peter studied at the London School of Economics and did a Masters at Cambridge, but after his wife and child were killed by a drunk driver, he suffered from alcohol dependency and experienced homelessness.
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‘I never really recovered,’ says Peter. ‘I turned to alcohol and even slept on the streets for a few months.
‘SHP has helped me maintain a tenancy and given me the opportunity to take part in lots of activities. I love attending exercise classes and a drama group that SHP runs.
‘Due to my age and a recent Parkinsons’ diagnosis, I am quite vulnerable to coronavirus. I don’t usually leave my flat except to get essential items and to get a little exercise every few days. However, I am enjoying getting the steps in to complete the Circle Challenge. I feel great knowing that I can support SHP.’
By encouraging people to exercise in their living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens or gardens, as well as outdoors, the challenge is designed to allow participants to keep fit, boost wellbeing and raise money while observing social distancing measures.
Simon Idio, 22, became homeless in late 2018 after his relationship with his family broke down. He is now living in the SHP’s supported accommodation in Lewisham.
Simon will be taking part in the challenge, and it isn’t the first time he will have achieved something incredible. On World Records Day in November 2019, Simon leapt into the Guinness World Records by completing 68 jumping jacks in 30 seconds.
‘I want to support SHP because they have supported me, and I want to help them keep other clients safe too,’ says Simon. ‘I like doing cardio work outs in my garden, so I’ve been doing the Circle Challenge by jumping, jogging on the spot and anything else I can think of to complete the distance while staying safe.
‘Having a goal really motivates me. Exercise is really important for me, especially at a time like this when it’s easy to feel lost. It gives me a sense of purpose.’
The funds raised will help cover the costs of emergency measures such as providing isolation rooms in hostels and protective clothing for staff as they continue to provide a service in difficult conditions.
Food parcels are also being delivered to vulnerable clients who are unable to get provisions for themselves and welfare checks are being carried out regularly to ensure that clients living in the community are coping while social distancing measures are in place.
Stephen from SHP says the organisation has been at the forefront of a collective effort from central government, the Greater London Authority, London boroughs, health services and charities, to keep rough sleepers safe during the pandemic.
‘Using hotels and other safe accommodation, together we’ve been able to rapidly get an estimated 90% of the capital’s rough sleepers off the streets and into accommodation where they can self-isolate and social distance and their longer term needs can be addressed,’ Stephen tells Metro.co.uk.
‘This has undoubtedly saved lives.
‘Covid-19 presents particular risks to the people we work with, many of whom have long-term physical health conditions and/or compromised immune systems, meaning that they are at severe risk of harm should they contract the virus.’
‘We have been able to work alongside other agencies to implement personalised harm reduction plans and address people’s physical and mental health needs onsite, both Covid-related and existing underlying conditions.
‘This has included working with a multidisciplinary ‘Find and Treat’ team from University College London Hospitals (UCLH) to proactively screen clients for Covid-19.’
If you can’t take part in the Circle Challenge yourself, you can donate to support Peter and Simon and the many others who are getting active to raise vital funds.
You can visit the team fundraising page to donate, or of course you can sign up to complete the Circle Challenge yourself.
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Get in touch: metrolifestyleteam@metro.co.uk.
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source https://metro.co.uk/2020/06/18/homeless-people-walk-length-circle-line-help-vulnerable-people-survive-pandemic-12871649/
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