Free Online at www.coastalviewandmoornews.co.uk The Community Newspaper for the Towns and Villages of East Cleveland, Redcar & North York Moors, telling the real news and views of the people of our region Coastal View & Moor News Issue 132 August - September 2022
● Picture By Marc Hodgson
Cllr Barry Hunt and his sensational SSAFA sleepout C
llr Barry Hunt, who is a long standing member of Loftus Town Council as well as a Borough Councillor, has achieved something quite remarkable for a man over 70 years in age - since 2019 he has raised over £35000 for SSAFA by sleeping out at War Memorials across East Cleveland. SSAFA, the Armed Forces Charity, is a cause that means a lot to Cllr Hunt. It is the oldest Military Charity and has been providing lifelong support to veterans, serving military and their families since 1885. Last year alone SSAFA helped over 85000 people in need and Cllr Hunt was determined to do his bit to assist the local SSAFA Cleveland Branch reach those within our community. The Cleveland Branch covers the Stockton , Middlesbrough and Redcar areas and will reach out to those as far as Whitby if needed. The branch has to meet all its own expenses though fundraising - office, administration and travel expenses alone can total over £15000 per year. SSAFA caseworkers assist with complex cases and genuine needs - this may be providing emergency financial support, providing white goods or disability aids and liaising with specialised organisations who provide trained Counselling or mental health support. They also provide activities for the children of serving families during the school holidays and will support any dependents until they reach adulthood. In 2019 Cllr Hunt raised over £15000 by sleeping out at War Memorials throughout November, and in 2021 he set a goal to to beat this - which of course he did thanks to his determination and the
support of the local community, and he raised a staggering £20034.35 by sleeping out at 11 War Memorials from the 3rd November 2021 right up to Remembrance Sunday, waking up at Loftus on the 13th November 2021. In total Cllr Hunt has raised £35,449.55, which is amazing. Before his challenge began, Cllr Hunt stated ‘I aim to raise funds for SSAFA and the issue of homelessness and mental health issues of those leaving the Armed Services organisations. I am doing this for every one of our Armed Services Personnel past and present and those who have lost their lives and those who live with the loss of limbs. We owe you so much.’ In late July 2022 Tom McCune, Branch Secretary, Anita Prior, Chair and Frank Dooley, treasurer of SSAFA Cleveland Brach visited Cllr Hunt at Loftus Town Hall so they could thank Cllr Hunt for his fundraising and tell him what the money raised has meant to the branch. Cllr Hunt thanked Cleveland SSAFA for all they do, and continue to do, to help those within our community and said ‘he was so proud to have been part of it, but there are still so many people who need help.’ Cllr Hunt is now busy thinking up other ways to raise money for SSAFA - watch this space! Cllr Hunt thanked all those who sponsored and supported him. He gave a special thank you to his Cousin for donating artwork and to Cleveland Potash who have supported him generously throughout. He also thanked Alison, Sarah and Leah in the Town Council office for all their support administering the JustGiving Page and counting the pennies.
● Tom McCune, Cllr Barry Hunt, Anita Prior and Frank Dooley
● Cllr Hunt sleeping at Loftus War Memorial. But the biggest thanks of the day came from the three representatives from Cleveland SSAFA who explained that Cllr Hunt's fundraising has made a huge difference to the work the branch was able to undertake, and therefore made a significant difference to
● Sarah, Cllr Hunt, Alison the lives of those who need it. Thank you SSAFA for all you do, and Cllr Hunt for raising funds and awareness for this very worthy charity. Editor’s note: This article was submitted to us and written by Loftus Town Council.