TV Star Alex Horne Supports Slough Homeless Charity

“Taskmaster” star Alex Horne has joined forces with Slough Homeless Our Concern (SHOC), a charity dedicated to supporting vulnerable individuals, for what is described as the “biggest fundraising event” in the group’s history. SHOC, a voluntary organization with more than two decades of experience, will conduct its first Big SleepOut event next month.

As part of the event, scheduled at Arbour Park stadium, home of Slough Town Football Club, participants will indulge in various activities, including games led by Horne himself. Local youth groups will perform before fundraisers face the challenge of spending a chilly November night in cardboard shelters.

In an interview with the Express, Mandy McGuire, head of day services at SHOC, emphasized the importance of the Big SleepOut. “We’re seeing lots more people coming to the service,” she said, describing a growing need due to “a lack of affordable accommodation in Slough.” The charity operates at Quaker House on Ragstone Road and offers services such as hot meals, mental health support, and employment coaching.

The day center assists nearly 50 individuals daily, though around 180 people are registered for aid. However, McGuire highlighted a concerning national trend of strained charity funding and an increasing and diversifying client base. “Now it’s males and females of any age and ethnic background,” she explained, unlike two decades ago when the homeless demographic mainly consisted of “middle-aged men with alcohol problems.”

Discussions around homelessness often center on addiction. McGuire stated, “For most people, it’s the homelessness that comes first and then the addiction,” countering the misconception that substance misuse leads to homelessness. The charity, therefore, views fundraising as vital to sustaining its operations, with celebrity support like Horne’s serving to heighten public awareness.

“He lives quite locally and is interested in what we do,” McGuire said of Horne, who has been a SHOC ambassador for several years. His involvement in the Big SleepOut will see him orchestrate mystery Taskmaster-style games, adding excitement to the event. The evening will formally commence at 7 p.m. on November 29, officiated by Slough’s Mayor Balwinder Dhillon.

McGuire expressed enthusiasm for the fundraiser, saying, “It will be a really great evening raising money for a fantastic cause – a longstanding charity that’s been local to Slough for many years.”