Uttoxeter boy set for month-long sleep out for homeless veterans

A teenage boy is camping outside for a month for the second time to raise money for homeless veterans.

Two years ago, Jacob, from Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, endured 31 nights of below-freezing temperatures and high winds in a tent set up in his parents’ back garden.

He received support and donations from across the world, as far as Australia, and raised more than £2,500 for the Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) charity.

The 14-year-old, whose parents were in the army, told BBC Radio Stoke he was hoping to smash that total this year, having started the month-long challenge again on 1 March.

“When I found out that there were more than 800 homeless veterans in the UK, I wanted to do something about it,” he said.

“I find it quite fun to be honest. Sometimes when you wake up, it’s hard to get back to sleep because you hear an owl or something.”

He said the nights had not been too bad and he was feeling “really happy” with how the challenge had gone, so far raising more than £500.

The teenager said the tent was set up near his home’s conservatory, equipped with a sleeping mat, camping pillow, sleeping bag, a blanket and sometimes a hot water bottle.

“I have to move the tent every couple of nights because the grass would die and my mum wouldn’t be very happy about it,” he added.

His dad Ben said he was really proud, adding that the last time he did the challenge was “absolutely brutal for him”.

“He’s focused – if he’s got something in his head, he’s dedicated so he’ll do it and see it through to the end,” he said.

Asked if he was tempted to do it with Jacob, Ben said: “No, I’ve had my fair share of camping out thank you.”

Jacob’s challenge is part of the RBLI’s Great Tommy Sleep Out, aimed at raising money and awareness to support veterans experiencing homelessness.