Simon on the Streets Big Sleep Out is the charity’s annual fundraiser, and returned post-pandemic to continue to raise awareness about homelessness in Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees, and to generate funds for its ongoing work.
Thursday 20 October, and one hundred and twenty members of the public, each of whom had paid £25 to take part, and many of whom had raised up to £1000, slept outside, in what turned out to be very wet and windy conditions.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Robert W Gettings MBE JP, opened the event at 7pm. He delivered a keynote speech outside Leeds Civic Hall during which he highlighted the importance of local homelessness charities such as Simon on the Streets. The charity is one of the Lord Mayor’s four chosen charities to support during his 12-month term as Mayor.
Following the keynote, participants at the Sleep Out were treated to evening entertainment. Music was performed courtesy of Love Leeds Events, and this had people up on their feet, dancing and singing along. There was also a quiz from KwizzBit. All participants were provided with refreshments including tea and coffee throughout the event, and a bacon sandwich in the morning, thanks to D&D London. Honest Burgers were also there in the evening, giving participants the option of purchasing additional food and drinks. And in the morning, Action Relief was on site to give people more food and drink, if needed.
DPD gave everyone who slept out large pieces of cardboard to lie on, as this is what is typically used by people experiencing homelessness to keep a little warmer. The Big Sleep Out was sponsored by DUSK, an online homeware retailer. With their support, all those that took part in the event were able to sleep in a safe and enclosed space, albeit outside. In addition, DUSK donated bedding sets to homelessness accommodation providers in Leeds – providing one set for every participant that signed up to the Sleep Out.
The 2022 Big Sleep Out raised over £26,000 for the charity, surpassing initial targets by over £6000. These vital funds will help the charity to continue to provide practical and emotional support to people experiencing homelessness in West Yorkshire.
For more information about Simon on the Streets and how you can get involved in the Big Sleep Out next year, head to https://simononthestreets.co.uk/about
If you’d like to support Simon on the Streets, whilst also celebrating the festive season, why not buy tickets for the Christmas Starlight Ball? The ball, which will be at the Queens Hotel in Leeds on November 20th, will include a three-course meal, entertainment from a band and from a comedian, a raffle, and the opportunity to dance the night away. Tickets are still available and can be purchased as tables of 10 or as individual tickets. For more information, contact: [email protected]
Photography by Samantha Toolsie. Cover photograph – The DUSK team not yet quite ready to sleep!
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