Simon on the Streets is back with their charity sleep out to raise awareness for homelessness in West Yorkshire.
After a successful turnout in 2022, the participants laid out their sleeping bags once at Leeds Civic Hall, on Thursday, October 19.
The event raised £25,000 which will be invested into the service that they provide to to the local community.
The purpose of the sleep out is to help individuals, business people and groups learn about what it is like to face the harsh reality of sleeping rough. Throughout the experience, they can understand the important role that the charity play in tackling this problem.
Natalie Moran, CEO of Simon on the streets, said: “It is Simon on the streets’ flagship event. The idea of tonight is not about people coming away and saying ‘well we know what it’s like to be homeless now because we’ve spent the night in the cold’.”
“The purpose of tonight is to raise awareness. If it just makes people think a little bit about how lucky they are, how privileged we all are to be able to go home, get in our beds and get a hot shower, then we’ve done our jobs.”
With a mix of food, entertainment and community spirit, the Big Sleep Out brings forward an important conversation during the coldest season when people will be struggling significantly.
The event was sponsored by British online homeware retailer DUSK, who attended the event with 15 team members.
Bekah Duce, senior PR executive at DUSK, participated in the event. She said, “We understand that the work they (Simon on the streets) do is absolutely invaluable, especially in the current climate. It’s great to know that they are supporting people who are living right on our doorstep.”
Simon the Streets continue their hard work to tackle homelessness everyday.
