Fundraisers raised £2,000 for a foodbank when they spent an uncomfortable night in the open for a sleepout.
Peter Arthy, a churchgoer at Immaculate Conception Epping, asked colleagues at Arc Group to join him sleeping in the car park of Theydon Bois Primary School on April 20
Mr Arthy made a presentation to pupils at the school, who held a non-uniform day in aid of the food bank.
The four fundraisers, Mr Arthy and CEO of Arc Group London, Tony Mason and colleagues Mark Henman and James Begley. had nothing to eat or drink before spending the night sleeping on cardboard mats.
Peter Arthy speaks to pupils
Mr Arthy said: "The kids at the school really took to it. In the area where we live there is not a lot of poverty as such. They have what they want and they get what they want. They need to appreciate what they have and the people they have supplying that."
Arc Group founder and CEO Tony Mason said: "The vulnerability of sleeping outside took me by surprise. Without having any cover around you was quite uncomfortable and I can understand what a dangerous and isolating experience this is for those forced to sleep rough.
"Since the inception of our business I have always supported those less fortunate, particularly those forced to sleep on the street. I am very passionate about rehabilitation and over the years have supported many charities, not only by donation and volunteering, but actively encouraging and supporting rough sleepers into employment within the construction industry.
"We have had some success stories over the years and continue to support education and employment initiatives for those less fortunate."
The fundraisers in the car park of Theydon Bois Primary School
Foodbank director Jacob Forman said: "Over lockdown, we saw demand for our services soar at Epping Forest Food Bank. That demand never went away and is in fact growing again due to the the of living crisis which is really starting to bite into household budgets.
"We want to say a massive thank you to Peter and Arc Company limited for this effort. It is massively appreciated and without these funds we wouldn't be able to serve the community and met the ever growing demand."
Make a donation at https://eppingforest.foodbank.org.uk
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