This week hundreds of people will sleep on the streets of Leeds in a campaign for the cost of living crisis.
Charity Simon's Big Sleep Out will welcome people to Leeds Civic Hall to sleep outside on Thursday, October 18, to raise funds for the homeless, and raise awareness. On the back of the rising cost of living crisis, the number of people homeless in England is predicted to jump by a third by 2024 as councils warn of a "tidal wave" of need caused by benefits freezes, soaring food, energy bills, and the end of Covid eviction bans.
Simon on the Streets hope to raise as much money as possible to "provide hope for those without a voice". The charity delivers emotional and practical support for those living on the streets and offers specialist services to transform lives and works with individuals across Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees.
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Natalie Moran, CEO at Simon on the Streets says: "We’re incredibly excited that our Big Sleep Out will be back this month for the first time since the Covid pandemic. We couldn’t do it without the wonderful supporters.
"We’re understandably concerned about the rising cost of living and the impact on homelessness this will have. It has, therefore, never been more important to support our work and we’re asking the public to get involved and attend the Simon’s Big Sleep Out."
The Lord Mayor of Leeds is set to attend and deliver a keynote speech at an upcoming charity sleepout and is asking the public to sleep outside for the worthy cause. Councillor Robert W Gettings MBE will open the event, discussing the importance of local homelessness charities including Simon on the Streets. The sleep out is being sponsored by luxury bed company DUSK, all participants will bed down in a secure, enclosed space with refreshments, entertainment, and games.
Individuals who sign up to the sleep out will get a brand-new bedding set donated by DUSK to homelessness accommodation providers in the city. The Lord Mayor of Leeds said: "I am looking forward to opening this year’s public sleep out in support of Simon on the Streets, they do such fantastic work across West Yorkshire which I am honoured to be able to support.
"I would urge everyone who is able to support to do so and help Simon on the Streets help some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, either by donating money or taking part in the public sleep out."
Carla Johnson, Marketing Director at DUSK added: "At DUSK, we believe everyone deserves to have a happy home. We are sponsoring the Big Sleep Out to help raise awareness of the vital outreach Simon on the Streets do, in supporting the homeless and vulnerable community in rebuilding and transforming their lives. Our HQ is in the heart of Leeds, and a number of our colleagues are looking forward to taking part in the event.”
The Big Sleep Out starts at 7pm and will include sax and percussion music from Love Leeds Events and a quiz from KwizzBit. Refreshments will be provided on the night by D&D London with breakfast included the following day.
Tickets cost £25 plus booking fee and participants are asked to set a sponsorship target of £100 which will enable Simon on the Streets to continue its vital work. For ticket information click here.
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