A HOMELESS man has spoken out about his experiences of living on the streets in Blackburn.

“Shaun” was kicked out of his family home and was told to fend for himself one cold, dark night.

The man spent several weeks on the streets before being able to stay with Blackburn-based homeless charity Nightsafe for nine nights.

Speaking through the charity, Shaun has revealed what it has been like to live without a place to call home.

Shaun said: “I was kicked out from my family home that promised me a home to be safe and loved, but after one mistake they kicked me out on to the cold street in the night.

“The cold night of winter, freezing, cold rain and dark as the world was gone.

“In those dark nights I walked and walked until I can’t walk no more, so I stopped where I was and sat on the wet cold stone floor.

“I was afraid that I might not wake up that morning as the street at night is dangerous, you never know what will happen to you but those thoughts were unthinkable.

“I spent a long time on the street begging for food or clothes to keep warm and dry.

“I was alone with no one to talk to, no one to hear me.

“My hope was beginning to fade until someone came to me and helped me to find somewhere safe at night called Nightsafe.

“They came to me with open arms, I came in from the cold street to a warm safe place.

“I walked up the stairs and my hope was getting bigger and bigger.

“When I got into the shelter itself I saw two other young people there, one was very posh but funny and the other was small and loving and kind.

“The people who look after you at night are volunteers from all over the world. I have so much respect for them because they don’t have to be there, but they came here to help those in need.

“I spent nine nights there having the best time I have ever had, I felt loved, happy and safe.

“My last night was on Sunday night before I move into my own place.

“Thank you to all the volunteers and workers that have helped me to move on with my life.”

The charity is celebrating its 29th anniversary next month with a sponsored sleep out at St Silas Parish Church on Friday, December 6, and is aiming to raise £1,000.

Nightsafe’s Jay Ratcliffe, who set up the page, said: “It costs £40 per person per night for Nightsafe to accommodate in the shelter.

“Young people like Shaun are why we do what we do and we will continue our fight.”

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/TeamNightsafe.