Accrington fundraiser completes London sleeping rough challenge for charity (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Accrington fundraiser completes London sleeping rough challenge for charity

9:00am Monday 20th February 2012 in News By Catherine Pye, Reporter

AN Accrington man has slept rough in London for four nights to raise money in memory of his mum.

Dad-of-three Robert Riley, 26, took on the challenge to benefit the Blackburn-based East Lancashire Hospice, which cared for Eileen in her final days, before she succumbed to an aggressive cancer.

After taking little more than bottles of water and warm clothing, Robert only managed a total of eight hours sleep throughout the whole experience at his chosen pitch near to the ITV building beside the Thames.

Biting cold and rain drained his energy and gave him a near-constant headache, but he said sleeping rough was nothing in comparison with the loneliness he felt.

He said: “It was very difficult in terms of the lonliness. Sleeping on the streets is not that bad.

“Trying to sleep on your own is pretty bad. You wake up at three, four and five in the morning, with nothing to do and nowhere to go.

“It’s not good walking around and seeing other people with their friends and family while you’re on your own.”

As the days passed, Robert found it increasingly difficult to settle at night, and became more aware of sounds around him, including people being sick.

During the days, Robert spent time sightseeing and helping volunteers at St Martin’s Shelter in central London, where he also got some food.

He saw Ghostbusters star Dan Ackroyd and glamour model Jodie Marsh outside the ITV building, and on Valentine’s Day saw couples dancing to Lionel Richie’s music on Tower Bridge.

At the end of the week, he said: “The experience has been good. It’s taught me that life’s too short, you only live once.

“I’ve been on my own and really lonely, and it’s made me appreciate those people around me who care.

“If you get offered something in life and it’s free and it won’t kill you, take it. The majority of the people in the East Lancashire Hospice won’t get that chance, so you need to live your life to the full.”

Robert’s mum Eileen, who died aged 49, was a charity worker who volunteered for St John’s Ambulance for over 15 years. She spent 15 weeks at the hospice after breast cancer spread to her lungs and brain.

Robert chose the date of his fundraising experience to co-incide with the second anniversary of her death, on February 15.

So far he has raised over £500 for the hospice, but is still accepting donations until the end of today (Monday.) Visit: www.justgiving.com/Robert-Riley.