A GROUP of three veterans from Maryport braved the wind and rain of the weekend to raise money for homeless veterans.

David Gilhespy, Wayne Akehurst and Adrian Kirkbride, who are all ex-servicemen, went to Netherhall Corner in Maryport last Saturday, March 2, sleeping there overnight as part of a national campaign being run by the Royal British Legion - The Great Tommy Sleep Out.

The veterans estimate they have raised a combined total of over £2,500 pounds so far through fundraising over the weekend and fundraising pages they have set up online prior to the sleepout, smashing their target total of £100 each.

Talking about the challenge, David said:  "We started setting up at half three and it started raining. We thought this won't be here for long... and then it rained for five hours solid, so we were pretty wet, damp and cold from about half an hour in.

"But what has really blown us away was the people coming down with food, people coming down with cash every two minutes, and it just lifted your spirits - it was phenomenal, absolutely amazing.

"The community has blown us away, I was so emotional about it afterwards, thinking about it, it really blew us all away.

"It just made me realise that no veteran, especially in Maryport, would go homeless because the people round here wouldn't let it happen.

"To say I am proud to be a Maryport lad is an understatement." 

The group are already planning to do the challenge next year but think that they will use 'less in the way of comforts' - with comforts meaning damp sleeping bags and bivvy bags they used to try and brave the weather.

The challenge is one 'close to the heart' of all three of the group as former veterans, with David saying he feels he owes a lot to the British Legion.

He said: "It's always been close to my heart. I have struggled in the past myself and had my own ups and downs coming out of the forces and trying to fit in, but for me the British Legion has been fantastic. They work their socks off to help.

"I know I have come out of the other side because I have a great network of friends, a great family network and a fantastic partner who has supported me and put up me with through the good times and the bad. Some people haven't got that which is why I feel as though I should help."