A Lancaster man who turned his life around after years of living on the streets will sleep out again this Christmas in memory of a fellow champion of homeless people.
Shaun Denny will raise funds for Lancaster and District Homeless Action Service (LDHAS) with a sleep out on the steps of Lancaster Town Hall overnight on Friday December 19/Saturday December 20.
Shaun said he was dedicating the sleep-out to the late Grahame Legg.
Grahame, who died earlier this year, worked at LDHAS and dedicated 22 years of his life to helping homeless people in Lancaster.
Shaun came to Lancaster 14 years ago after spending much of his adult life living on the streets of Manchester.
LISTEN to Shaun Denny, Karen Bean and Simon Reader talking about the Big Sleep Out and LDHAS
"Lancaster's homeless hub was always a place of comfort and encouragement for me," he said.
"I washed dishes for a year voluntarily and gained accommodation through their housing worker.
"I started to face my fears of rejection, feeling less than and self loathing, after years of homeless abuse - being set fire to, attacked and ridiculed.
"My lowest point was being seven stone with a big beard probably heavier than me. I looked up at the night sky with a wish and a desire to feel love and give love.
"In Lancaster I found that love, I found that belonging and acceptance.
"I began to find myself also. We are still together now but not before my past caught up with me."
Shaun had Hepatitis C and needed two liver transplants to save his life.
But he said since 2020, his life has "changed dramatically".
He now works as the Street Homeless Peer Lead for the Hepatitis C Trust, helping homeless people throughout the county.
Below, Shaun pictured outside the LDHAS centre in Lancaster on December 2 2025
"I'm now a professional covering the whole of Lancashire," he said.
"I help the homeless, and I have excelled within my role with the support of my family and colleagues.
"I'm in a good place in life but want to give a bit back.
"So on Friday 19th December I'm bringing the paper cup out of retirement and sleeping out on the streets of Lancaster to raise money for LDHAS.
"The man in the picture alongside me dedicated 22 years of his life to Lancaster's homeless but is sadly no longer with us or he'd be first to sign up.
"This one's for you Grahame."
Karen Bean, new manager of the LDHAS Centre in Lancaster, will join Shaun during the sleep-out, alongside other supporters.
LDHAS aims to help those experiencing homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless, providing breakfast, lunch, showers, clothing and use of IT.
Below, centre manager Karen Bean, Shaun, and engagement officer Simon Reader
The homeless hub, based in Aalborg Place, Lancaster, has visiting agencies offering medical support and help with substance misuse, housing advice and help navigating bureaucracy.
Shaun's fundraising page can be found HERE.
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