Living in the community
The Big Sleep 2025
Tuesday 25 March 2025, 8.00pm - 8.00am, Centenary Square
Students and staff are invited to support the Big Sleep 2025, to help raise vital funds for The Bridge, Homelessness to Hope charity.
The University of Leicester, together with Leicester Student’s Union are once again joining forces with The Bridge, Homelessness to Hope charity, to raise funds and awareness of homelessness. Participants who are willing to give up their bed for a night, will gain an insight of the struggles of being homeless. This fundraising event, which has been running since 2018 (with the exception of 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 pandemic) has raised over £70,000 for The Bridge. Last year alone in 2024, over £20,000 was raised. Will you help us to raise even more money this year?
The Bridge Homelessness to Hope charity is an outreach to the lost and lonely of Leicester; from the homeless who spend their time on the streets, to those who suddenly find themselves with nowhere to go and no one to turn to. The Bridge runs various projects, from mentoring people, providing warm clothes and hot food to giving advice to those who need it most; all of their services are vital to helping the homeless and vulnerably housed community in our local area.
The Big Sleep is not intended to replicate the everyday harsh struggles of being homeless but to raise awareness, funds and provide an insight into the challenges faced by many vulnerable, homeless people.
Participants of the Big Sleep get sponsored to spend a night sleeping in Centenary Square alongside a team of students, staff and sponsors. In the event of wet weather participants will be able to move indoors to the Sports Hall. Get together with peers, housemates, colleagues or participate in this activity with members of a university club or society to make a huge impact. Some of the sponsors of The Bridge, including Heidelberg Materials, will again be participating in the Big Sleep
This year, the Big Sleep will take place on Tuesday 25 March 2025 from 8.00pm - 8.00am at the University of Leicester, on Centenary Square. If the weather conditions are very poor on the night, the event will be moved indoors. Free hot drinks will be available during the evening of the event and a breakfast cob the next morning, courtesy of Your LSP, who have generously provided refreshments to those who have participated in the Big Sleep since 2018.
Register to participate
The first step to get involved is to register to participate. This will involve donating £5.00 to The Bridge Homelessness to Hope to confirm your participation. Once you’ve registered, you will be sent further information.
All funds raised through your sponsorship for the event should be donated directly to The Bridge Homelessness to Hope to help the city’s homeless community. Donations can be made online by anyone, whether you are sleeping out or offering your support.
We've all experienced the freezing winter conditions but just imagine the devastating effects that the sharp drop in temperature has on those sleeping rough! Sadly, the numbers of people homeless or rough sleeping in Leicester continues to rise and more people will be impacted this winter than ever. We set up The Big Sleep, not only as our annual flagship event to raise much-needed funds to support homeless people in the city, but also to give supporters, businesses, university students and staff a window, albeit for just one night, into the real-life experience of our guests on any given night, as they're out in the elements. We are so thankful for everybody who participates in, and donates to The Big Sleep. Without the money raised at events like The Big Sleep, we would not be able to continue our work with the homeless and vulnerably housed at our day centre in the city, providing food, a shower, a change of clothes and a safe space, as well as case worker support, and physical and mental health services.
We've been supporting The Bridge for several years through the Big Sleep and last year we had almost 50 participants. We'd like to get more people involved this year and although spending a night outdoors isn't easy, there's always a great atmosphere and everyone supports each other. Please come and join us if you can or consider making a donation.
I learnt that it takes a whole lot of courage to be able to sleep outside. I advise anyone to give it a shot. It’s good for your mental health and it teaches you about humanity.
If you have any questions about the Big Sleep, please get in touch with the Volunteering Team at volunteer@le.ac.uk.