Sleepover in the spooky crypt

Jan 14 2009 by Joanne Douglas, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

A GROUP of fundraisers are preparing to be spooked by spending the night in a church crypt.

Vicki Ridgway, staff at the Keys Restaurant and members of Huddersfield Parish Church will spend the night in the crypt of the Byram Street church.

But it’s all in a good cause, with sponsorship being split between the church and the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

As far as they know it is the first time anyone has spent the night sleeping in the church’s crypt.

Vicki, who owns the Keys, said: “I was thinking of a way I could do something for charity and I actually dreamed this idea.

“When I woke up I thought it would be a great idea so asked the vicar, Canon Catherine Ogle, and she gave us her backing.

“Myself, a few members of staff from the Keys and someone from the church will all be doing it and we’re really looking forward to it.

“I think it will be a fun night and I think it will also be quite spooky, but we’ll all be together so will be fine.”

All proceeds raised will be split between the MS Society and Huddersfield Parish Church.

“The MS Society is a charity very close to my heart,” Vicki said.

“I’m also very keen to support the parish church appeal to support this lovely town centre church.”

Canon Ogle said: “A sleep-over is a great idea and a first for the crypt as far as we know.

“I hope that everyone will support Vicki in this imaginative and generous initiative.”

The volunteers will get cosy in their sleeping bags overnight on Saturday, February 7.

They will spend the night in the arched and atmospheric church crypt, which church members still remember helping to dig out in the late 1950s.

It was a task that was completed in the early 1970s with the help of the YMCA. The Keys Restaurant has been based in the crypt since 2000.

If you would like to sponsor the fundraisers call into the Keys at the church.