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Should this be the last Grand National?

Call 08459 811111, email julia@bbc.co.uk or text 81333 (start your message with KENT).

Call 08459 811111 (local rate), email julia@bbc.co.uk or text 81333 (start your message with KENT).

Should this year's Grand National be the last?

Already one horse has died on day two of the meet, Gottany O's had just jumped the fourth of nine hurdles, he sustained a major leg injury and was destroyed on the course.

Last year two horses died in the race and in total more than 60 horses have been killed since the start of the race in 1839.

Five horses died in the Cheltenham meet in the first two days this year.

Is it time to call time on the Grand National?

In breakfast with Matt and John we heard how Kent County Council has converted more than 2,000 empty houses into habitable homes through its "No Use Empty Scheme" since 2005.

However, there are still 7,000 dwellings still unoccupied in Kent and nearly 45,000 people on waiting lists.

That is a staggering number of people without a home. Because that is what they are isn't it? They might have a roof over their head but they are homeless. Aren't they?

What does homeless actually mean? What do you think of? Somebody in a shop doorway? A begger in the street? Or do you think of somebody doing what is known as "sofa surfing?"

It is staying in a spare room, finding a floor at a friends or sleeping on someone's sofa.

Are you having to crash at somebody else's house? Do you feel like a burden? Did you have a happy, secure home? Has it all fallen apart?

Has this happened to you?

Mike Barrett, Chief Executive of Canterbury based homeless charity Porchlight, speaks to us this morning.

3 hours

Last on

Fri 13 Apr 2012 09:00

Broadcast

  • Fri 13 Apr 2012 09:00