A rambling vicar drew inspiration from an American rock band as he camped out in his back garden to raise funds for those sleeping rough.

Reverend Jim Fletcher usually conducts his sermons from the comfort of Saint George's Church off Gravesend High Street.

But since lockdown began, he has been trying to think of new ways to connect with his parish, including those sleeping rough.

That's when he decided to pitch up a tent and camp in his garden for the seven days of Holy Week, a time of reflection in the Christian calendar, lasting from April 5 until 11.

He would undergo the experience equipped with just a sleeping bag, his bible and a recording device to vlog his experience.

Mr Fletcher said: "I kept thinking about the tents I have passed in random places round Gravesend, and when I have seen people sleeping in shop doorways.

"How can people be in self-isolation when they have no home to go to?"

The clergyman, who moved to his new parish from Fawkham, Longfield, last year, hastened to add he was "under no illusion" that camping in a tent was akin to sleeping rough.

He added: "The seven nights of Holy Week would only give me a 0.1% experience of what it must be like to be homeless."

But he was determined to make the experience still feel "different and special" and dedicated the time to "put this small insight into good use".

"It was very powerful being out there," Jim said. "Some nights were a lot colder than others – especially the ones where I could see my own breath quite clearly.

"It did make for a very prayerful space though, as I contemplated the isolation and darker moments."

There were moments he thought his tent might cave in but thankfully he says the "lord was shining down" and blessed him with good weather for most part.

He set himself the target of raising £2,000 in 10 days for the Gravesham Sanctuary overnight shelter, which was forced to close on March 23 due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Meanwhile the shelter says it has been working hard with Gravesham council and managed to get all 17 of its guests into temporary accommodation.

Sanctuary manager Lorna Nolan said it was a difficult decision to have to shut the shelter which was full at the time and had 68 people on its books since opening five months ago for the winter period.

She praised what she called the incredible response from the local community.

"This is the one time the community in Gravesend has come together, really worked it out without stepping on each others' toes," she said.

Mrs Nolan has been working with the Gravesham Food Bank at the Riverside Centre to deliver packed lunches to the homeless and other vulnerable people.

The volunteers are also working in conjunction with the council to offer support to people over the phone.

She praised Reverend Jim's good humour and fundraising efforts for the shelter so it can reopen again later this year.

The vicar vlogged the experience online where he challenged people to think of others and donate.

He said: "I have been overwhelmed at the response via Facebook and how word has travelled.

"I set myself a target of £2,000 in 10 days and I am thrilled to say this has been reached, so on behalf of St George’s please accept this as a gift to you all in this terrible crisis."

Following the experience Mr Fletcher has taken to using the social platform more to connect with his parish and new friends.

He films what he calls his little "daily rambles" which take the form of comedy sketches where he dresses up in different outfits.

But on Sunday he says he gets back to the serious stuff, which is being broadcast to regular churchgoers.

"I just wanted to get across we are people and can relate to ordinary folk," he said. "We don't just preach in a dog collar 24/7."

He recounts how during his time in isolation he thought of the public's response to the Manchester Arena Bombing and how music had the power to heal and bring people together.

In his latest video shared on Facebook he draws inspiration from the Foo Fighters' hit "Times Like These".

The Rock band's song was re-recorded for charity in isolation by lead singer Dave Grohl and a host of famous names in music.

Mr Fletcher says lyrics like "It's times like these you learn to live again" were not too far away from scripture.

"I think we are all going to review our lives after this crisis," he said. "We will all need to create a new normal."

He pledged to volunteer more time for charity organisations such as Gravesham Sanctuary in the post Covid-19 future and hoped others might be inclined to join him.

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