Homelessness charity Julian House is bringing the Big Basingstoke Sleep Out back to May’s Bounty Sports Ground on Friday, March 15.
Event Organiser Gavin Osborn said: “The Sleep Out was a huge success last year, winning Best Community Project at Destination Basingstoke’s Place to be Proud Of awards. We are delighted to bring it back to May’s Bounty this March. As those who took part last time will agree, it’s a great way for the community to come together as well as a chance to reflect on the challenges rough sleepers face every day.”
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Julian House has an outreach team on the streets of Basingstoke and Deane seven days a week, making sure anyone who has been forced to sleep rough, or is leading a street-based lifestyle, understands the options available to them.
“Participants can go home in the morning, have a warm shower, put on dry and clean clothes, even go back to bed and catch up on sleep,” Mr Osborn continued. “However, those sleeping rough often have no idea when they will next get a warm, dry bed. Our event is about raising awareness and much needed funds to help homeless and vulnerable people.”
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Last year Julian House provided life-changing support to over 2,000 vulnerable people who were experiencing, or at risk of homelessness across Basingstoke and the South West
At last year’s Sleep Out, eight-year-old primary school student Lydia took part, saying: “We used tarpaulin, cardboard and sticks to build our bed. I wanted to experience just a little bit of what rough sleepers have to go through so I could understand it more”.
The event had over 100 people sign up and take part, and organisers are hoping for an even bigger turnout this time.
Julian House encourages people of all ages; families, friends and work colleagues, to sign up early and start their fundraising. It’s free for anyone under 16 and £5 for adults to register and promises to be an experience you will never forget.
To take part with a team or by yourself, go to julianhouse.org.uk/support-us/events/big-basingstoke-sleep-out.
