Chelsea fans will be sleeping out at Stamford Bridge this weekend, to raise funds for homeless people and disabled veterans. Up to 200 people will settle down in the open air of the East Stand, in an annual event organised by Chelsea Supporters' Trust in partnership with the club.
Last year the hardy fans raised £26,000. This year, they've set themselves an ambitious target of £30,000. Taking advantage of the stadium being empty over an international weekend, the fundraisers will bed down in sleeping bags on Saturday night. Each has pledged to collect at least £50 in sponsorship.
The event is supporting Stoll, the veterans' charity which nestles alongside the stadium in Fulham Road and looks after 100 former servicemen and women, and the Barons Court Project.
With the sleepout still a few days away, a third of the £30,000 target had been raised, but a final surge is needed to get over the line. You can help them reach it by visiting the group's JustGiving page.
A chilly night in store
"A chance to sleep out under the East Stand at the Bridge for a whole night is a truly unique experience," said organiser Mark Meehan of Chelsea Supporters' Trust.
Mark, who recently co-wrote a crowdfunded book, 'Come Along and Sing This Song' about Chelsea's 1983-84 season, added: "The event goes from strength to strength, and shows what happens when Chelsea supporters come together.
"It can get very cold, a wicked wind blows through the East Stand. And a goods train always comes along the nearby railway line during the night!"
The only overnight comforts for participants are a pillow, sleeping bag and sheet of cardboard. Duvets and inflatable mattresses are banned.
"Former player Paul Canoville slept out with us one year," said Mark. "There's a great spirit of camaraderie."
Last year's event included a raffle, to which current and past Chelsea players donated prizes. The football club also arranged to give everyone taking part a hot breakfast on the Sunday morning.
Cllr Ben Coleman, Deputy Leader of H&F Council, has sponsored military vet Rod Hood and his wife Margaret, who are taking part in the Big Stamford Bridge Sleep Out.
"I'm honoured to be supporting him, raising funds for two amazing charities that champion the homeless," he said.
Stoll works to stop military veterans having to sleep rough; a safety net after they leave the armed forces.
The Barons Court Project (financially supported by H&F Council) is based in Talgarth Road, W14, and is dedicated to helping people on low income who are vulnerable through homelessness and mental health problems.
The first sleep out was staged in 2019, when Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood was a surprise visitor, calling in to wish everyone well.
