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More on KentOnline
A woman from Dover who slept on the streets for years is setting out on a mammoth journey by bike to raise awareness of the support available to rough sleepers.
Becky Presley, 28, is cycling from Dover to Glasgow and back, completing a total of 1,700 miles over two months.
She set off on her journey alone this morning, travelling across to Cornwall before heading along the coast up to Cardiff.
Scroll down to see a video of Becky's route and to hear about her experience on the streets
Throughout her journey, she will be visiting different charities and shelters to collect the stories of homeless people across the UK.
She also hopes to raise awareness of the charities and shelters available to provide support to people living on the street.
"For a few weeks I went without food because I didn't realise there were places to eat, until I started asking about the community," she said.
Although she will be staying at B&Bs and hostels for a lot of her journey, Becky will hark back to her days on the streets and sleep outside for some of the nights, making the challenge mental as much as it is physical.
A map of Becky's 1700-mile journey
"I haven't been able to get in a tent since to be honest, so this is going to be quite an eye-opener."
Becky said being homeless as a woman has its own pressures, often relating to experiences of domestic abuse and trauma from men.
"I think that's what makes it hugely difficult," she said.
"Because obviously, most cities are dominated by men. You're an easy target when you're a woman."
Exhibition aimed to tackle the stigma of homelessness
Becky became homeless after struggling with alcohol addiction.
"For the last 10 years I suffered with alcoholism, and it was two and a half years ago I just hit rock bottom," she said.
"I lost everything. So that's how it all ended, all stemmed up to homelessness."
In January, figures released by the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government revealed at the last official street count in autumn 2018 there were fewer people living on the streets in the county.
With the help of Porchlight, Becky was able to get support for her alcoholism and get away from a life on the streets.
She now shares a house in Dover and has a job dog-sitting, which she will return to when she finishes her long journey back from Glasgow.
"I'm just going to die for a few days and then back onto my job really," she said of the effort needed for the trip.
"My life doesn't really stop, which is good."
