News
Prince William sleeps on London's streets with young homeless people
22nd December 2009
Prince William slept rough on London’s streets last week following an invitation from Centrepoint, the charity that supports homeless young people.
The Prince was joined by Seyi Obakin (Chief Executive of Centrepoint) and his Private Secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, as he bedded down in a sleeping bag on cardboard, next to a group of wheelie bins around Blackfriars bridge in London.
Earlier in the year, Centrepoint's Chief Executive challenged the Prince to experience being homeless for one night and Mr Obakin said he did not think the Prince would pick up the gauntlet.
The offer came after Prince William challenged the organisation to redouble its efforts to end youth homelessness.
Prince William put the challenge to Centrepoint during a speech he made at an event at St. James’s Palace, in March this year, to mark the charity’s 40th anniversary.
In return, Mr Obakin challenged the Prince to experience sleeping rough for himself.
Following his night on the streets, Prince William said: "I cannot, after one night, even begin to imagine what it must be like to sleep rough on London's streets night after night.
"Poverty, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependancy and family breakdown cause people to become and then stay homeless.
"Centrepoint's work - along with many other organisations' - in tackling these fundamental causes is desperately important if we are ever to end homelessness in this country.
"I hope that by deepening my understanding of the issue, I can help do my bit to help the most vulnerable on our streets."
The organisation's Chief Executive Seyi Obakin slept next to the Prince on their makeshift bed and said the "hairiest moment" came when they were almost run over by a road sweeper.
Writing on the Centrepoint website he added: "For me, it was a scary experience. Out of my comfortable bed. Out there in the elements. Out there on an extremely cold night, with temperatures down to minus 4.
"And it was the same for Prince William. But he was determined to do it as (Centrepoint) Patron in order to raise awareness of the problem and to be able to understand a little better what rough sleepers go through night after night."
"We took as much precaution as possible - finding a relatively secluded spot in an alleyway, shielded partly by a collection of wheelie bins.
"But there was no shielding from the bitter cold, or the hard concrete floor, or the fear of being accosted by drug dealers, pimps or those out to give homeless people a 'good kicking'.
"One of the hairiest moments occurred when we were almost run over by a road sweeper which simply didn't see our small group huddled together, which just goes to show how vulnerable rough sleepers are.
"I have never been happier to welcome the break of dawn."
The group slept until 6am when Prince William was taken on a tour of the West End to see where many of the young homeless were sleeping.
He then visited the charity's Soho hostel where he helped to make breakfast for the young residents and cut a cake to mark Centrepoint's 40th anniversary.
Centrepoint is the national charity providing housing and support to improve the lives of homeless young people aged 16-25. Prince William has been Patron of the charity since 2005.
His mother Diana, Princess of Wales was Patron of the charity up until her death in 1997.