Sunderland make heartwarming offer to the homeless in light of Storm Emma

Sunderland AFC have opened their doors to the homeless and vulnerable this weekend with the club set to offer the Stadium of Light as shelter to those in need.

As Storm Emma continues to make its way through the UK and Ireland, Sunderland have moved to alleviate the storm's effects by creating a special warm-room complete with places to sleep, hot food and hot drinks for those in need of shelter. They have also extended the offer to those with pets and have said that the room will be manned. A club statement issued on Friday read: "The room is open now and will remain open until at least 9am on Monday morning, weather dependent. "Anyone wishing to use the facility should arrive at Exit 2 in the South West Corner of the Stadium." Meanwhile club captain and Ireland defender John O'Shea said that the club need to start winning games quickly if they wish to avoid a second consecutive relegation. “We have to make sure we keep clean sheets while continuing to score goals,” O’Shea told the club's website. “Wins are crucial now and we know they are key, so we have to start getting them and the sooner the better.” He continued: “We know the challenge we face [against Millwall] and it’s one we’re looking forward to. “We have to be ready for it because they have a good mix of experience and youth in their team, and like us they’re going to be up for it. “We have three games in seven days but the first, and therefore the most important one, is Millwall, and hopefully when that’s out the way we’ve got a fantastic result that can give us a boost for the next two.”