Member Article

Putting homelessness on the main stage - Simon on the Streets Leeds Sleep Out is back

Simon on the Streets, the West Yorkshire based registered charity supporting embedded rough sleepers, is back with its annual #sleepwithsimon fundraising activity on Thursday 28 September 2017.

Taking place at Tilt Yard in the Royal Armouries, #sleepwithsimon is the biggest event in Simon on the Street’s (SotS) fundraising calendar. Participants all sleep under the stars, open to the elements, to gain an insight into the root causes of homelessness and the steps SotS takes to try and help.

Everyone taking part is encouraged to fundraise ahead of the event to raise as much as possible for the charity, with the event itself seeing a combination of businesses and individuals getting involved. Tickets for #sleepwithsimon2017 cost just £10.

General manager of Simon on the Streets’ Gordon Laing, said: “This is our biggest event annually in terms of raising funds and awareness of the work we do, as well as shining a spotlight on to homelessness in our city as a whole. Our aim is to make this event even bigger than previous years, with 150+ people participating on the night.

“While we know this event is not truly ‘sleeping rough’, it allows for an insight as to the challenges of the elements and the feeling of isolation that rough sleepers can face, no matter how small that insight may be.

“We are an independent agency offering emotional and practical support on an outreach basis to rough sleepers and those at risk of becoming so. The funds raised at this event go straight towards paying for the services we offer, ensuring we can help people as effectively and completely as possible who are in that situation.”

Kicking off from 7pm on the night, events will run through the night at the sleep out including a performance of ‘Urban Grimshaw and the Shed Crew’ by Leeds’ own Red Ladder Theatre Company, and motivational speaker, Richard McCann, giving a talk for all participants.

Our top tip? Set up a Just Giving page, or equivalent, and encourage everyone you know to give to this very worthy cause!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Approach PR .