Sleepout to support Leicesters homeless
Staff and student volunteers will be wrapping up and bracing themselves for a night out in the elements in order to raise awareness of homelessness and the reality of ‘sleeping rough’.
‘The Big Sleep’ will be taking place at the University's Events Square on Tuesday 20 March, organised on behalf of The Bridge - Homelessness to Hope and supported by the University's  ‘Homeless outreach society’.
Running from Tuesday 20 March, 8.00pm - Wednesday 21 March 8.00am, volunteers will spend the night under the stars for a glimpse into what street homelessness might be like- with only cardboard, a sleeping bag, flasks and the clothes on their back for warmth. All funds raised through the event’s sponsorship page will be donated to The Bridge – Homelessness to Hope.
Although the ‘big sleep’ event cannot replicate the hardships that those who are homeless live in entirely, the team hope that it will go some way to providing an insight into, and raising awareness of, the daily struggles and discomfort that those who are homeless can face.
In January 2018 outreach worker for The Bridge – Homelessness to Hope, Patrick Harris, became an Honorary Graduate of the University, and received a Doctor of Laws.
The Big Sleep follows the University’s RAG (Raising and Giving) and Wellbeing Week from 26 February to 2 March, which had three goals: to celebrate the fantastic fundraising and giving activity already taking place, to promote positive mental, physical and emotional wellbeing and to join together to raise even more money for charity. Over the course of the academic year, over £16,000 has been raised for charities through RAG with fundraising still continuing.