Trio plan to sleep rough in Galashiels to raise awareness of homelessness
'If we can raise say £50, it means somebody without a roof over their head can get a bed and breakfast for the night...'
Last updated 9th Oct 2026
A Marks and Spencer’s worker is recalling the challenges she faced sleeping rough in Galashiels two years ago – as she prepares to do it all again next month.
Karen Redpath is raising money for homelessness charity Steps to Hope, alongside local hospital porter Fiona Howie – and her 70-year-old colleague Joe Spence.
The customer services assistant revealed they decided to take part again to support founder Richie Roncero, who is sleeping rough for six months across 26 cities.
“It was a long night,” Karen recalled of their first sponsored sleepout.
“The weather was kind to us that night, we didn't feel cold. Fiona was choked with the cold but still managed to do it.
“Some people crossed the road rather than speak to us. But a lot of people were really interested in why we were doing it and what we were doing it for.”
WATCH: Click on the link below to view our video report...
For Karen, some of the biggest challenges were the lack of basic facilities and the uncertainty of being out on the streets.
“For me probably it was like using the bathroom,” she told Greatest Hits Radio. “When you're out on the street there is nowhere for you to go, so we had to kind of make sure that we needed the toilet when we were at Tesco so we could get up there to use the toilet.
“And seeing a dead rat was awful for me – 100% shock to the system.
“However, what we both said on that night was, in the morning we could roll up our sleeping bags and go home. People that are homeless don't actually have that. They're out all day, all night for however long it takes them to get a house."
And she added: “If we can raise say £50, it means somebody homeless can get a bed and breakfast for the night.”
Fiona, who works at Borders General Hospital, says the uncertainty of being outside at night was particularly challenging.
"What I found most difficult was the unknown at night time because you never know what's going to happen," she said.
"When we're in our beds at night, we're safe, but when we're on the streets, you never know who's coming by; you can't sleep properly, you're worrying in case something does happen."
This time, the two women are being joined by Joe, who says homelessness can affect people from all walks of life.
“There's a lot of people out there who had good jobs at one time and fallen on hard times," he noted. “My main aim is to help as many people as possible.
"As the girls explained, you're sleeping with one eye open. You're afraid to go to sleep, you don't know if the next person coming along is friendly or not friendly.
“All we can do is ask the people of Galashiels to be very kind and give as much as they can – or, if they can, even just stop for a chat. Because somebody talking to you can put a wee heat in your body rather than be cold all night."
The fundraiser takes place on the night of November 14th. For more information, and to donate, click here.
For more stories from the Scottish Borders and North Northumberland, bookmark our home page - https://hellorayo.co.uk/greatest-hits/borders/news/