On a very sunny day July 15th, Sian and Sheena set out on a coach to go to Wakestock, a local music festival at Abersoch. When the festival goers leave many just leave their tent and other belongings in the field. For the last few years North Wales Housing has set up a task force to collect as many useful abandoned goods as they can. The task force this year included NW Housing staff, staff from Drop-in centres, residents from the local hostel, an RAF Valley Officer, a Community Police Officer and of course two members of SI Bangorand District.
On the day, we collected 103 sleeping bags, 84 tents, 3 cool boxes, 3 ground sheets, 5 blankets, 48 chairs, 70 roll mats, 21 airbeds, 1 rucksack, 10 inflatable pillows, 5 picnic mats and some tent pegs and tent/chair bags (over 300 items altogether). Last year the outing cost £400 to put on and collected £7000 worth of equipment which the Homeless Service could never have raised themselves.
We worked very hard in the window of time we were allowed to pick up tents etc. (from 1pm to 4pm) and the homeless service was able to stock their shed with goods for the winter. We felt it was very valuable and worthwhile exercise and North Wales Housing definitely benefitted from having help from other groups so hopefully we shall be there again next year!