From their website: Sunderland AFC is opening its doors to the homeless and vulnerable this weekend, providing a safe and warm environment in the bitter conditions forecast. Stadium of Light staff have created a special warm-room complete with places to sleep, hot food and hot drinks for those in need of shelter. Pets are also welcome, and the room will be manned. The room is open now and will remain open until at least 9am on Monday morning, weather dependent. Anyone wishing to use the facility should arrive at Exit 2 in the South West Corner of the Stadium. Other useful contacts: Sunderland City Council Homeless out of hours emergency line on 0191 520 5551. Salvation Army Swan Lodge emergency bed and facilities line on 0191 5655 411 Centrepoint for 16-25-year-olds with housing problems on 0808 800 0661. St Mary’s Church in Sunderland is also a point of contact for those in need or those who may not have access to a telephone. Anyone wishing to make donations of food or clothing should bring them to the Stadium of Light reception, open until 5pm on Friday and from 9am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Amazing gesture - well done Sunderland!
Do they not realise how reckless it is to encourage, in the present conditions, these vulnerable people to risk life and limb in travelling to a football stadium?
Be fair, if they have a bit of a kick about, 2 or 3 of them may get contracts. Can't be any worse than their current playing staff.
Well the reason on our site (non-320 mile related) is "due to sheer amount of snow and ice in the surrounding areas of Oakwell, the decision has been taken by the relevant authorities". Oakwell. What about the "sheer amount of snow and ice" in the more orange- highlighted danger zone of Wearside? These lost souls, without footwear (or adequate non-slip footwear) are being enticed, a bit like zombie flesh eaters, to a frozen grave.
I think they’ll take the risk of slipping on the way to shelter for the night rather than freezing to death. It’s a bit more serious than going to watch a game of football, isn’t it?
I remember sleeping on the floor under the east stand at Oakwell a few months ago to raise awareness for homeless people. Well done Sunderland.
Good luck to them. Like going to Meadowhall though, they do have a choice. Meanwhile, at least we know that an icy fate can't befall any of the less than firm or frozen of our own following, due to our kind and considerate cancellation. Presumably however if instead we'd turned Oakwell into a soup kitchen at 3 pm, it would have been wonderful to see the doddery dispossessed turn up.
