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A Chelmsford dog walker discovered a rough sleeper had died on her morning route today.

When walking through the cemetery of St John The Evangelist Church in Moulsham Street, she found the man unresponsive at around 11am, (Thursday, December 5).

Georgina Pierson says she had seen him before and always greeted him, but the man had sadly passed away.

Emergency services were called to the Chelmsford church to reports that a man had died suddenly.

Officers from Essex Police and ambulance crews went to the churchyard and sadly confirmed his death.

Ms Pierson, co-founder of good2rent on Moulsham Street, said: "I was walking my dog in the graveyard this morning like I always do. And I saw one of the rough sleepers I regularly see.

"I saw him over by the steps by the boiler room. I said 'hello' like I always do and he didn't move.

"I phoned the ambulance and they told me to try touching him to see if he responded and he didn't."

Last night, the weather was in sub zero temperatures, with mercury levels plummeting to -1.2C by 3am.

The churchyard was cordoned off

The entrance to the church was cordoned off for approximately three hours and several police vehicles were at the scene. Ambulances from the East of England Ambulance service were also parked up along the road.

The latest statement from Essex Police reads: "We were called by the ambulance service shortly before 11.20am on Thursday, December 5, with reports a man had died suddenly near St John’s Church in Moulsham Street, Chelmsford.

"His death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner."

Photographs from the scene also showed officers walking the grounds of the yard.

The white tent near the entrance to the building is believed to not be related to the incident.

A statement from the East of England Ambulance Service said: ”We were called at 11.04am with reports of a person who was unresponsive in Moulsham Street, Chelmsford.

“We sent an ambulance and a rapid response vehicle.

“Despite our best efforts, a man sadly died at the scene."

"It's devastating"

Ms Pierson walks her dog though the graveyard and surrounding areas daily, and has become familiar with several rough sleepers who spend time in the area.

She said: "It's just devastating, It's almost like you can see it coming. As it gets colder and you see them out there with the same clothes they have all year.

"I see them in all states. Some days they are really chatty and cheerful and then others you can see they are very down and depressed."

Georgia said that today's experience has shaken her, and she is determined to do more to help those who are sleeping rough.

She said: "I'm not sure how I feel, I'm shaken.

"I am so glad that I am able to talk about it to raise awareness that there is so much more we can be doing.

"We need to try as human beings to do more. One tin of food donated a year is not enough. With all that is going on it the world today this is the human element that should unite us."

"We had a bed available last night"

Chelmsford charity CHESS have claimed that there were spare beds available last night as part of their 'Winter Project'.

Rob Saggs, the chief executive officer, said: "We had bed spaces available last night, he could have been in the warm and dry."

The Winter Project offers emergency support for anyone sleeping rough in the city.

The project launched on Monday (December 2) and is running until around March to offer a safe and warm place for rough sleepers in the coldest of months.

The 'Winter Project' offers 10 extra beds for those that need them, and people will also receive hot food and drinks as well as a support worker to talk to.

Bags are also given out which contain sleeping bags and other essential items.

Despite this the charity claims that some nights they are left with empty beds.

Mr Saggs added: "This is devastating news to hear today.

"These bed spaces are available, we want people to know this, it is a safe space.

"Our team will have known this man and his health conditions and will have been trying to help him.

"They will have been out and spoken to him about our services, I am 95 per cent certain he will have known about the winter project."

To get a space in the emergency shelter, individuals need to be refered.

This can be done by phoning the project, or CHESS or by visiting their premises on New London Road.

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The charity says they take on anyone sleeping rough, even if they are not completely drink or drug free.

Mr Saggs said: "Providing that they are in control of themselves, they can have an available bed.

"We do have to look at safety of everyone in the shelter so there is tests, but as long as they are in control they can be there.

"There are beds available and we want people to know it is a safe place for them to spend the night."

"People don't need to be rough sleeping"

Mr Saggs said that with all of the help that is available, people do not need to be sleeping on the streets in the cold weather.

He added: "People don't need to be rough sleeping.

"You can report people sleeping rough to Street Link who will let us know about them so we can tell them about our services.

"We are there for them, that's what they need to know.

"We have created a safe space for them, they do not need to worry about violence, abuse or being judged."

He then said: "I can't believe the beds aren't being filled.

"He should have been there last night and he should be there tonight."

"It must be so surreal for the other homeless people, they must be thinking that it could have been them," said Ms Pierson.

"I now know exactly what to do to be proactive, I can do something rather than just feeling bad and sorry for them.

"I want everyone to have the number in their phones so they can do something to help.

"It's about taking that extra step and taking the time to do something to help them."

Members of the Winter Project will send a team out tonight to meet with anyone sleeping rough.

Chelmsford MP Vicky Ford tweeted: "The winter project will also send a team to meet any rough sleepers and encourage them to take a bed for the night, so do call them if you are worried about any individuals."

Mr Saggs wants people to take the time to speak to homeless people, rather than ignoring them on the streets.

He said: "There is always a reason and a cause as to why people are on the streets and perhaps drinking or taking drugs.

"They have often been through rejection again and again."

Georgina agreed, and said that it is important to take time to talk to individuals rather than making assumptions about them.

She said: "They are invisible to people, it's another example of rejection.

"I can't imagine what it feels like to feel invisible."

Church to open all day tomorrow to 'pay respects'

Gemma Fraser, Reverend of St John The Evangelist Church, said: "You may have heard about a police presence at St John's this morning. We are sorry to tell you the incredibly sad news that a man was found dead in the churchyard.

"We are devastated that someone has died in these circumstances.

"We are helping the police with their enquiries and don't have any more information at the moment.

"We may not know his name yet but he was known and loved by God. Please keep him and his friends and family in your prayers.

"The church is open now and will be for prayer and quiet reflection until 9pm this evening and all day tomorrow."

Vigil to be held

Cool to be kind, Chelmsford community project supporting rough sleepers, announced on their social media this evening that a vigil will be held on December 16.

They wrote: "It is with a very heavy heart that we learned of the news of the death of a rough sleeper today in the grounds of St John's Church, Moulsham Street.

"I have met with Reverand Gemma Fraser today and it was agreed that we would host a vigil on Monday, December 16, at 7.30pm, at the hcurch."

More details will be announced closer to the time.

"Our aim is to end rough sleeping"

Chief Executive Nick Eveleigh of Chelmsford City Council said: "We are shocked and saddened to hear that a man has passed away in our city centre and our thoughts are with him and all who knew him.

"Our aim is to end rough sleeping in the medium term and in the meantime if anyone in Chelmsford finds themselves without a roof over their heads, then please approach the Council and we will provide any advice and assistance that we can.

"There is a night shelter at Chelmsford CHESS in New London Road which is free to use and which provides longer-term help and advice too, and we have also opened up extra temporary shelters in church halls throughout the cold winter months as part of the ‘Winter Project’.

"Please come to the CHESS shelter or the City Council offices, or call 01245 281104, and you will be able to book a bed.

"If you are concerned about someone who you think may be sleeping outdoors, then please tell us about them through Streetlink at www.streetlink.org.uk and an outreach worker will find them to offer support."