With the Wolves Foundation unable to repeat last year’s inaugural Molineux Sleepout experience when fans spent the night in the Stan Cullis Stand, a ‘virtual’ event was held instead with people encouraged to sleep in their gardens or on their floors.
Over 100 took part, with the fundraising total currently approaching £14,000 to be shared between the Foundation and the Good Shepherd charities’ efforts towards helping people in the local community.
Coady joined a Zoom call at the start of the evening which also featured fellow Foundation ambassadors Karl Henry – a fellow promotion-winning Wolves captain – Jack Rutter and Anna Price, as well as former Wolves goalkeepers Matt Murray and Carl Ikeme, who is an ambassador of the Good Shepherd.
Another Foundation ambassador Johnny Phillips led a ‘Breakfast with Bully’ Q&A with club legend Steve Bull to wrap up the event on Saturday morning, and ambassadors Jacqui Oatley and Mark Rhodes also provided video messages of support for participants.
The Zoom calls were hosted by the deadly duo of Foundation staff, Tom Warren and Brad Moore.
“It really was such a fantastic event to raise money and awareness to help people who are homeless or struggling with food poverty and even though we were all apart this year, it felt like we were more together than ever,” said Demi Grundy, Communications and Fundraising Manager with Wolves Foundation.
“The support we received from Foundation ambassadors and former Wolves players was incredible, and to have our current captain Conor joining the call ahead of such an important game at the weekend just topped everything off.
“As well as the football questions Conor gave a great speech about how important it was that everyone had come together and shown that ‘One Pack’ mentality, and then to have Steve Bull on the next morning really raised everyone’s spirits after a cold and wet night.
“Everyone was able to take part in the sleepout in their own way, and those who slept outside had just a brief taste of what it is like to be homeless, and how important is it that the Foundation and the Good Shepherd continue to raise awareness and provide support around what is still such a major problem in society.”
Those taking part did indeed mark the event in many different ways, from sleeping on the floor or in tents indoors, to camping outside, at stables, or even – in the case of American supporter Trevor Railey – on the beach in Los Angeles!
MP Stuart Anderson, whose constituency covers both Molineux and the Compton Park training ground, also took part in the event the second year running (?) but this time with his family, building on previous support he has shown for the Foundation and the Good Shepherd.
And well-known fundraiser and Foundation volunteer Manny Singh Kang slept on a piece of cardboard in his garden, and raised a staggering amount of over £5,500 towards the overall total.
“With the success of last year’s first ever Molineux sleepout, even in the absence of being able to return to the stadium due to Covid-19 restrictions, we really wanted to do something to keep the momentum going ahead of hopefully bringing the event back in its fullest sense in 2021,” says Will Clowes, Head of Wolves Foundation.
“The response we received from supporters, Foundation ambassadors and the public in general has been extraordinary, and really shows that the community spirit which we always try to encourage with our projects remains very strong in Wolverhampton.
“It’s another fantastic amount of money raised, along with awareness, which will support both the important work of the Good Shepherd, and a forthcoming Foundation project focusing on food poverty.
“We would once again like to thank everyone who either took part or made a donation for such fantastic support.”
The fundraising page will remain open until 14th December 2020, so anyone wishing to support community efforts to help people who are struggling this Christmas can do so by clicking here.
