More than 150 people have signed up to bed down in sleeping bags at Nottingham Racecourse this Saturday 7 October to raise funds to help tackle the homelessness crisis.
They will be taking part in Framework’s Big Sleep Out which aims to raise more than £30,000 with every penny helping to get rough sleepers off the streets and into accommodation.
Those taking part will include individuals, groups of friends, families, and teams representing local businesses and community groups.
Prominent among the groups taking part will be around 80 representatives of Central Notts Scouts – Scouts, Explorers and their leaders drawn from the 3rd Woodthorpe, 3rd Netherfield, 5th Carlton, 1st Daybrook & Woodthorpe and Gemini Explorers.
Dani Blackman, ADC Activities and Events for Central Notts Scouts, said:
“More and more young people are becoming aware of how many people are homeless and they want to help in any way they can. Numbers taking part in the Big Sleep Out have been increasing gradually over the last couple of years and the young people are always so proud to show their support for Framework.
“They see this as an opportunity to raise awareness as well as raising money for a good cause and it’s a chance to let other people know they can make a difference too.
“They are really looking forward to it: it’s another Scouting Night away with their friends to keep them company. Most groups will be making cardboard shelters in the run-up and will be discussing ways to stay warm during the event. They will also be talking about how this differs from being homeless and spending every night outside.”
The Scouts aim to beat last year’s target when they raised just over £1,000.
Among the businesses taking part will be a team from The Campbell Clinic, the West Bridgford-based specialist private dental practice, who hope to raise £500. Kath Hare, Research Manager, said:
“The Campbell Clinic has supported Framework for several years with financial donations but after spending time with Framework’s Street Outreach Team to see the work they do with rough sleepers it seemed right to also give some of our time to raise additional funds.
“There are five of us taking part and none of us have done anything like this at all! We are nervous, excited and proud to be taking part. It’s a real challenge for us all, and great to be taking part as a team.
“So far we have a random collection of cardboard, old groundsheets, bin bags and tape. Hopefully we will have time to plan what to do with it all before Saturday!”
Also taking part will be a team from leading Nottingham PR consultancy Redbrick Communications who are providing Framework with pro bono PR support. Their sleepout team leader Carly Jones Cooper said:
“After sharing the news about this flagship annual fundraising event with media, we knew we wanted to take part ourselves. We’ve started collecting our cardboard in preparation for the evening, and are just on a last push now to secure as many donations as we can for such an important cause.”
Another Framework corporate supporter to be represented is Tesco with a team of five staff from the store in Carlton, Nottingham.
Framework’s Head of Fundraising and Communications, Claire Eden sums up what the Big Sleep Out is all about:
“The Big Sleep Out appeals to people of all ages who want to do something worthwhile for a good cause and we are very grateful to everyone who has signed up this year and to those who have made donations to support them.
“Sleeping outside in the elements for a single October night is challenging enough but, unfortunately, it’s something more and more people have to endure every night.
“Rough sleeping in Nottingham has increased by 41% in the past year. The combined impact of the shortage of affordable housing and the cost of living crisis is having a devastating effect on people’s lives: working people are finding they cannot afford the rent and people who are sofa surfing are no longer welcome due to the extra burden on crippling household costs.
“We are not aiming to replicate the experience that homeless people endure on the streets which can be dangerous and often life-threatening. However at three in the morning, when people taking part are cold to the bone, they will have greater sympathy for people who are sleeping outside every night.
“So we need the public’s help now more than ever to support the increasing number of people who will experience the trauma of rough sleeping this winter, many of them for the first time. Hundreds of people will face the danger and indignity of sleeping on the streets, in shop doorways, in car parks, on building sites and in graveyards.”
Explaining the importance of participation in the Big Sleep Out, Sam Lanes, who runs Framework’s Street Outreach Team working with rough sleepers across Nottingham seven days a week, 365 days a year, said:
“The Big Sleep Out gives some insight into what people who are sleeping rough experience every night and raises so much awareness and money to help those individuals.”
You can see Sam Lanes’ message here.
People can still sign up to take part in the Big Sleep Out on Saturday at www.frameworkha.org/sleepout .
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