The Liverpool Cathedral Sleepout returns next month following a break due to the pandemic.
Families are once again invited to sleep under the roof of the biggest cathedral in England to raise vital funds for the local community. The Liverpool Cathedral Sleepout, which is organised by Liverpool Cathedral and The Whitechapel Centre, allows families to take part in games, storytelling and shelter building, with a prize for the best den.
The fundraiser is designed to teach children and young people about homelessness and the importance of having a place to call home. Although sleeping in the cathedral doesn’t compare to the reality of sleeping on the streets, Liverpool Cathedral Sleepout offers them the opportunity to help those in need.
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Rachael Atkinson-White, Director of Fundraising at Liverpool Cathedral, said: “We are delighted to once again open our doors to host the Liverpool Cathedral Sleepout event. This popular event provides a great opportunity to understand more about homelessness, while safe in the Cathedral. All funds raised from this event will help support the work of both organisations, which includes our families and schools programme, and maintenance on our brilliant building.”
Ruth McCaughley, Fundraising Manager at The Whitechapel Centre, commented: “The Whitechapel Centre’s vision is to see an end to homelessness, social exclusion and housing poverty in Liverpool. We can only do this by working in partnership with organisations like Liverpool Cathedral. There are many different complex reasons why someone can be homeless and we help people address these problems as well as finding suitable accommodation.”
Hettie Miles, events fundraiser at the Whitechapel Centre, added: “We know that many children and young people are concerned about the rise in homelessness and rough sleeping in Liverpool and want to help. The Liverpool Cathedral Sleepout gives them the opportunity to experience the sense of vulnerability that you feel would feel when you’re not in your own bed, within the safety of the Cathedral.
“We are so excited to be running this sponsored event together with Liverpool Cathedral to raise vital funds for both charities. The event in previous years has been a sell-out and we hope many of our community members are able to take part have fun and raise lots of sponsorship.”
The Liverpool Cathedral Sleepout takes place on Friday, April 8, starting at 7.30pm and ending at 7am. To take part, register online here for £5, collect some cardboard and remember to bring pyjamas and a sleeping bag on the night.
Everyone over the age of three must be signed up as a participant. Each person registered is asked to raise at least £50 sponsorship, with all funds raised split between both charities. Liverpool Cathedral is at St James Mt, Liverpool, L1 7AZ.
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