THE Vicar of Croydon is set to swap church comforts for a night sleeping rough to raise funds for Croydon Minster later this month.
The Reverend Canon Colin Boswell will join his fellow clergy and members of his congregation to spend the night sleeping in the grounds of the minster on July 26.
Rev Boswell admitted he was a little apprehensive at the prospect of a night under the stars.
He said: "To be honest, I'm not very keen on sleeping out, but I'm conscious of living in a lovely house and how much that means to me, and how much not having that privilege means to other people."
The minster is trying to raise £30,000 before the end of the year so it can carry on its work in the community.
In addition to being a place of worship and choral music, the minster provides a food bank, shelter for the homeless, counselling for those affected by drugs and alcohol, education and activities for young people and meeting places for the elderly.
Before Rev Boswell and his flock take to the street, the minster's choir plans to raise funds by staging a psalm-athon – singing all 150 psalms from the Book of Common Prayer in a traditional Anglican chant.
Tom Little, the minster's sub-organist, estimated it would take at least 16 hours to sing them all.
Daunting
Mr Little said: "Singing all 150 psalms in a day is a daunting prospect, but the musicians of Croydon Minster are keen to do their bit to help maintain the work of the church in the area, as well as showcase the real glory of the Anglican choral tradition. We encourage people to drop in and listen."
The singers will be accompanied and led by Mr Little and Simon Hogan, assistant director of music at Southwell Minster.
Anyone can sponsor Rev Boswell or a psalm via www.croydonminster.org and donating on the minster's Just Giving page.
