IN preparation for a night of ‘homelessness’ to help raise funds for a humanitarian trip to Ukraine next year, charity members sought martial arts advice to help them feel safer during their night on the capital’s streets.
Manannan Overseas Aid’s Kevin Dooley, Dan Dooley and Anna O’Brien – all well versed on the issue of homelessness in the island – arranged the session at Clear Mountain Mixed Martial Arts Club in Douglas.
On Friday, August 10, they will be dropped off at different points somewhere around the island.
With only a sleeping bag – and a phone for emergency use only – they will each have the rest of the day to make their way to Douglas, where they will be homeless for the night.
In a community as close as the Isle of Man, it would be easy to call in a favour, but the rules are strict; no use of homes or workplaces of friends or family members can be made.
Kevin explained: ‘Because it is a weekend and we don’t know where we are going to end up sleeping, we are concerned for our members’ safety. The guys at Clear Mountain have been great with practical advice.’
Clear Mountain trainer Scott Caldwell said: ‘This is unusual, in that these people have perfectly decent houses, but they’re choosing to sleep rough. They’re trying to do it properly too.’
‘We’ve advised them on what to look for in a place to sleep for the night. Douglas is a good choice as it is the best lit at night and has the most people around late.’ Scott added: ‘We’ve talked about how to avoid trouble, deal with confrontation, and for worst case scenarios we went through some basic self defence, and how to restrain someone, or use someone as a shield if in trouble with a group.’
Kevin explained the reasons behind the trip the homeless event will help fund.
‘We want to revamp a children’s ward in a hospital within the Chernobyl nuclear disaster exclusion zone. The hospital has a serious problem with children being abandoned, it’s between one and four a week.
‘They have to deal with poor facilities too. The newest ambulance they have, which serves an area the size of Douglas, is from 1949.’
Kevin added: ‘To raise funds we like to help out other charities. For this event 60 per cent of the sponsor money will go to the charity for the homeless, Kemmyrk.’
Donations for the homeless event can be made through Kemmyrk, or at the Intersport store in Douglas.