Diocese of York / News & events / News

St Marys Boston Spa with their Xodus Group (School Years 6 – 8) were filmed by The Church Urban Fund for a promotional clip for next year’s Advent Sleepout Challenge publicity material.

Having chosen a very cold Friday evening in December at St Mary’s Church, Boston Spa for their sleepout challenge, 8 young people plus leaders Andrew Smith and Kate Kennedy braved the cold for the night in order to raise money for homeless people and those sleeping in Shelters.

Throughout the evening they completed some fun challenges and activities including:

In the morning over breakfast we reflected on those who have to sleep out every night in the cold, and realised how lucky we are. Everyone was sponsored and there was also a giving page set up on Facebook, and we raised over £400 which will be split between St George’s Crypt and the Church Urban Fund.
Andrew Smith

built a stable from scrap materials
made soup using the single item of food that each of us brought in
searched for hidden treasure around church and used this to buy some treats from the tuck shop.

After being led in Night prayers by Rev Trish Anslow they settled down to watch a film on a big screen before getting into their sleeping bags and going to sleep. It was very cold in church so they were grateful for their warm clothes and sleeping bags!