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Crystal Palace Opens Doors To Rough Sleepers During Freezing Weather

Crystal Palace Opens Doors To Rough Sleepers During Freezing Weather

The football club has teamed up with Croydon Council to help homeless people

Rachael Grealish

Rachael Grealish

Premier league football team, Crystal Palace, and Croydon Council have teamed up to provide shelter for homeless people as temperatures dip below freezing.

The football club and council have made a deal that will see a lounge at Selhurst Park turned into temporary shelter for up to 10 people who would otherwise be sleeping rough.

Those who qualify for the emergency accommodation won't only receive a bed for the night but also a hot meal, breakfast and washing facilities.

Temporary Accommodation At Selhurst Park.
Crystal Palace

Councillor Alison Butler, deputy leader and cabinet member for homes and gateway services said in a statement: "Freezing temperatures are a particular safety risk for rough sleepers, and this is a wonderful gesture by Crystal Palace for helping us reduce that risk.

"I do hope that the actions and support of our local Premier League football club will encourage more businesses in Croydon to get in touch and do what they can to help us address homelessness. Crystal Palace are setting a standard for other clubs to follow."

When the weather forecast sees temperatures hit zero degrees Celsius, the emergency accommodation at Crystal Palace comes into effect.

Hot meals for rough sleepers at Cyrstal Palace.
Crystal Palace Football Club

Crystal Palace Football Club chief executive Phil Alexander said: "We are delighted to be collaborating with Croydon Council and their partner agencies to ensure that rough sleepers can find an emergency shelter in the event of severe winter weather."

"The club wants to be a force for good in the community and we are happy to do our bit to help those most in need. A huge thank you to all the volunteers who have given their time freely to make this happen, including club staff, as well as to Sainsbury's Crystal Palace for donating food."

The football club has a long-standing relationship with homeless charity Crisis and, last month, two players from the first team, Mamadou Sakho and Christian Benteke, visited the Crisis Skylight Centre for homeless people in Croydon.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, Homelessness