IT IS not without admiration that I read in your newspaper that volunteers will be sleeping out under the cloisters at Salisbury Cathedral for one night in March.

However, how does this portray the real plight of homeless people who, no doubt, would not be permitted to sleep in such a safe place. Most people suffering homelessness are forced to sleep in shop doorways or under bridges trying to escape the turbulent weather. They will not have the privilege of friends keeping them company in the early hours with flasks of hot drinks and snacks to keep them going. They will not have the comfort of knowing that tomorrow night they will be tucked up in their own beds in a safe place.

This sleepout for one night just massages their own egos – it’s no hardship and bears no resemblance to the real issues. Standing on a cold street corner with a collection box might be an alternative and encourage more people to become aware of this problem.

Yes, I know Alabare is a homeless charity but for some reason they walked out on Trowbridge homeless just before Christmas.

Mary Yeandel, Delamere Road, Trowbridge