'We will celebrate his life' - Gathering and sleepout to honour 'much loved character' who helped the homeless in Wolverhampton
A gathering and sleepout for a 'much loved character' who did much to help the homeless of Wolverhampton will be held today (Saturday).
Lee Barton passed away on January 28 aged just 45 and left three children.
An outpouring of grief from people in the Wolverhampton network of organisations who help the homeless followed - Lee volunteered for the Wolverhampton Homeless Outreach team, Harvest Temple and Helping Hearts Outreach.
Members of Lee's family, friends and colleagues from the volunteering community will gather at around 8pm by the Prince Albert statue in Victoria Square - they will include his brother Danny, who described Lee as 'an amazing lad'. It follows a similar event last Saturday night at the Yew Tree Pub in Bilston.
Musician Stan Iredale - known as Banton, - wrote a song for Lee which has been published on YouTube - is organising Saturday's event and said people would come to the event with 'peace and love in their heart.'
He said: "While this is partly a sleep out for those who want to, this is also a peaceful vigil in Lee's name and in respect of the homeless who he helped so much with his larger than life character.
"We will remember him and listen to 'Our Brother' the song which has been published in Lee's memory, there will be food handed out but mainly just to celebrate his life provide a focal point for his friends and family."
Danny said: "The family have been overwhelmed with the response from the people of Wolverhampton , there have been thousands of messages on Facebook and sent through to us, we will all try and be there for him on Saturday night."
