The 2022-23 Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Robert W Gettings MBE JP, is set to attend and deliver a keynote speech at an upcoming charity sleepout and is asking the public to sleep outside for the worthy cause.
For the first time since 2019, Simon on the Streets returns on Thursday 20th October at Leeds Civic Hall. The Lord Mayor will discuss the importance of local charities for the homeless, having chosen Simon on The Streets as one of his four charities for his term of office.
Hundreds of supporters will sleep outside for the night, not to claim the experience of homeless people, but really to help raise awareness and attract more funding for the charity’s outreach work.
Sponsored by DUSK, the British online homeware retailer, participants will have a secure, enclosed space for their sleepover and be provided with refreshments, entertainment and games. Each sign-up to the event will mean a donation by DUSK of a new set of bedding for those providing accommodation to the homeless in Leeds.
Since 1999, Simon on the Streets has aimed to ‘provide hope for those without a voice’, delivering emotional and practical support for those living on the streets across Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds:
“I am looking forward to opening this year’s public sleep out in support of Simon on the Streets. They do such fantastic work across West Yorkshire, which I am honoured to be able to support. I would urge everyone who is able to support to do so and help Simon on the Streets help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, either by donating money or taking part in the public sleep out.”
Natalie Moran, CEO at Simon on the Streets:
“We’re incredibly excited that our Big Sleep Out will be back this month for the first time since the Covid pandemic; we couldn’t do it without the support of the Lord Mayor and wonderful supporters such as our headline sponsor, DUSK and of course the attendees. We’re understandably concerned about the rising cost of living and the impact on homelessness this will have. It has, therefore, never been more important to support our work and we’re asking the public to get involved and attend the Simon’s Big Sleep Out.”
Carla Johnson, Marketing Director at DUSK:
“At DUSK, we believe everyone deserves to have a happy home. We are sponsoring the Big Sleep Out to help raise awareness of the vital outreach Simon on the Streets does, in supporting the homeless and vulnerable community in rebuilding and transforming their lives. Our HQ is in the heart of Leeds, and a number of our colleagues are looking forward to taking part in the event.”
The Big Sleep Out begins at 7pm on 20 October and will include the Lord Mayor’s opening speech with sax and percussion music from Love Leeds Events and an exciting quiz from KwizzBit. Refreshments will be provided on the night by D&D London, with breakfast included the following day.
Tickets cost £25 plus booking fee, and participants are asked to set a sponsorship target of £100 which will enable Simon on the Streets to continue its vital work.
To find out more and book tickets to this year’s event, visit: https://simononthestreets.co.uk/news#events.
