A Nottinghamshire mum has braved the winds and rain of Storm Barney by living on the roof her historic home for charity.
Kat Buchanan, 40, has so far raised nearly £5,000 for Children in Need, while camping under a makeshift shelter on top of the historic building near Worksop.
She has been surviving off nuts and packets of instant noodles with the occasional home cooked meal delivered by her husband, George.
By Saturday Kat will have slept on top of the building for seven days, and only has a novel, radio and colouring books for company.
She said: “It was something different to do, capture the imagination and then hopefully raise a lot of money for a really worthwhile charity. Also to raise awareness for children who don’t have a safe roof to sleep under.”
The mother-of-four was inspired to raise money for the cause after hearing heartbreaking stories of vulnerable young people on the BBC Children in Need appeals show last year.
Hodsock Priory is a mid-13th century house near Retford which is famous for its snowdrops in the early spring.
Video: Kat explains how her tent on the roof keeps her warm
Kat has dealt with the strong winds and rains of Storm Barney, and was only able to get 20 minutes sleep on Monday night because of the weather.
She added: “It’s been cold, windy and interesting; lots of lovely starry nights and very beautiful skies.”
“It can be a bit boring, but i’ve had friends who’ve come to visit to bring chocolate and hot coffees which has been lovely, but it’s an amazing view from up here and has given me the chance to think and reflect.”
Kat says her children are excited that their mum is sleeping on a roof, but admitted the novelty factor faded quite quickly.
“They helped me set up and kept bringing me tea and biscuits – one of my sons is a bit sad I’m not at home but the others just think I’m bonkers.”
Picture: Kat with her chalk mural on the roof of the priory
Next year her children say they will walk the entire Hodsock estate for charity after being inspired by their mother, but Kat says she will be taking the year off.
You can follow her progress with the hash tag #KatOnTheRoof and give donations here.
