March: Ex-prison officer sleeps rough for the armed forces

Gary Pritchard was planning to sleep three nights underneath the Coronation Fountain on Broad Street, March but was forced to relocate due to ongoing roadworks. 

“Fenland Council have been good with me and after I suggested doing the sleep-out, they suggested I could do it in West End Park,” said Gary. 

“My wife and family didn’t want me sleeping in the park, so I’ve done it in my front and back garden.” 

Gary has so far slept two of three nights outside as part of The Great Tommy Sleep Out to raise funds for the Royal British Legion Industries charity. 

And tonight [Saturday] will be Gary’s last to help raise money for vulnerable armed forces veterans. 

“I’m a big supporter of the armed forces as, at the end of the day, they protect us,” he said. 

“Up to 6,000 ex-forces personnel are living on the streets for reasons such as post-traumatic stress disorder or unable to find accommodation,” he said. 

“I was in the Territorial Army in the 1980s but stopped when I joined the prison service.” 

Gary has already reached his fundraising target by sleeping outdoors for the Royal British Legion Industries charity. (Image: Gary Pritchard)

Gary, who retired as a prison officer in 2014, took part in the sleep-out event last year where he slept at the nature reserve near HMP Whitemoor in March as well as his front garden. 

He is planning to use his one-man pop-up tent to good effect, having used a sleeping bag the first night he took part in the event. 

Gary raised his target of £150 that time and has already done so this year, as he lines up another sleep-out fundraiser next year.

“Staff who work at my wife’s school, Cavalry Primary School, have sponsored me and helped raise a lot of money,” he added.  

“I’m humbled by the way people have helped me reach my target. 

“I have done the best I can and now I know I have done something to help.”