A leading The Bridge Homelessness to Hope fundraiser will return next month as supporters prepare to spend a night sleeping outdoors to raise money and awareness for people experiencing homelessness in the city.
The charity will host The Big Sleep 2026 from 8pm on Tuesday 17 March through to 8am the following morning at University of Leicester’s Centenary Square.
Picture credit: The Bridge Homelessness to Hope
At the annual event, participants are invited to sleep outside for one night to highlight the realities faced by Leicester’s homeless community and rough sleepers, while raising vital funds to support the organisation’s frontline services.
All money raised will go towards The Bridge’s year-round support, including breakfast and lunch services, access to hot showers, clothing and toiletries, and washing and drying facilities. Funds will also help sustain three Case Worker roles, which provide tailored support on housing and benefits advice, registering with a GP or dentist, and accessing mental health and wellbeing services.
This year, the charity is also encouraging people to take part remotely by sleeping outside in their own back gardens at any point between 16 and 22 March, offering greater flexibility for individuals and teams who want to get involved.
Supporters can sign up as individuals or form teams with friends, family or colleagues. Members of the public can also sponsor those already taking part via The Big Sleep web page.
Pablo Cortés, volunteer and Professor of Law/Chair in Civil Justice at the University of Leicester, said he would be taking part to show solidarity with those facing homelessness.
“I volunteer at The Bridge because I believe a community is judged by how it treats those who are struggling the most,” he said. “Many of the people who come through its doors are not only hungry, cold and isolated, but also coping with complex physical and mental health difficulties.
“What moves me most is the dignity with which The Bridge approaches its work. It does not simply provide food and clothing; it offers a warm, welcoming space, practical help with housing and services, and-crucially -human recognition.
“The thought of sleeping rough is profoundly unsettling. That is why I am taking part in the Big Sleep this year: to raise awareness and funds in response to the growing challenge of rough sleeping in our area.”
Picture credit: Homelessness to Hope
David Fawcett, Chief Executive at The Bridge Homelessness to Hope, said homelessness remained a significant issue locally.
“Homelessness remains a significant challenge in Leicester and we saw continued high numbers of guests needing to access our services last year,” he said. “The Big Sleep is our flagship fundraising event and has been incredibly successful over the last few years, generating vital funds to support our work and raising awareness of the conditions affecting our guests most nights of their lives.
“We’re calling on individuals and businesses to help us out this year by participating, sponsoring or donating – all support is gratefully appreciated and will help our vulnerable guests directly.”
New figures for 2025 show the charity’s Hub services were accessed 19,050 times across the year – an 83% increase since 2022. During the same period, 84 people were successfully housed in temporary or permanent accommodation, while 367 guests have seen improvements to their income since 2020 through the charity’s support services.
To find out more, visit: https://www.bridgeleicester.org/
