'I'm sleeping out in memory of my husband'

A widow is set to join hundreds of people braving the cold weather to sleep rough for charity.

The annual Molineux Sleepout will take place on Friday, with fundraisers spending the night in the Stan Cullis Stand at Molineux Stadium in solidarity with people experiencing homelessness across Wolverhampton.

For Barbara Nichols-Singh, the challenge will be a chance to honour her late husband's memory while raising money for the Wolves Foundation, which supported her through her grief.

"I decided to do the [sleepout] in memory of Dougie and also because it is such a good cause – I am looking forward to it," she said.

When her husband was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, she turned to the charity's women's Check in & Chat group, while her husband Dougie attended the men's group for help.

"Our worlds were turned upside down when Dougie was diagnosed with a terminal illness, and it was difficult to cope," she said

"Wolves Foundation really did help so much – they held my hand when he was dreadfully ill, and even afterwards, when you don't really know what help you need, they checked in on me.

After Dougie's death earlier this year, and in tribute to him, Nichols-Singh decided to start fundraising.

She said that after Dougie did the charity sleepover and she forgot to pick him up in the morning, she feels " that I owe him".

"I have this deep-seated guilt that I have to repay him," she added.

Since it began, the Molineux Sleepout has raised over £300,000 for the Wolves Foundation and Good Shepherd charities to deliver services to vulnerable people across the city.

For this year's event, challengers face a cold snap with the first widespread frost of autumn.

Chris Bulmer, Met Office chief forecaster, said: "Overnight temperatures on Friday night will dip to -4 or even -6 C in some locations, meaning a significant ground frost for many locations."

Singer and actor Beverley Knight has previously supported the event.

"Last year, I had the opportunity of joining 200 or so people for the Molineux Sleepout. It was cold, it was raining, but the solidarity, the togetherness, the brilliant banter and, yeah I actually did get some sleep. So I absolutely loved the experience." she said.

Chef and Tiktok influencer Mitch Lane, who is an ambassador for both charities, will take part in this year's fundraiser.

He commented: "Spending one night in the cold is a small thing for us to do, but the money raised can make a massive difference to the people who need support across the city. "

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