A Leicester homeless charity has announced that this year’s ‘The Big Sleep’ fundraising event will take place overnight on Tuesday 25 March at the University of Leicester’s Centenary Square.
At the annual ‘The Big Sleep’ event, people are invited to sleep outside for one night to raise money for, and awareness of the challenges experienced by the city’s homeless and rough sleepers.
Picture credit: The Big Sleep
All funds raised from The Big Sleep, which begins at 8pm, will support the vital work of The Bridge Homelessness to Hope including breakfast and lunch services, access to hot showers, clothing and toiletries, and washing and drying facilities. It will also support the charity’s case workers who help with housing advice, benefits advice, connecting with a GP or dentist, mental health and wellbeing, creative sessions including arts & crafts, music, football and a film club, and one-to-one mentoring through The Lighthouse Project.
People have to be over 18 years old to take part in The Big Sleep and can either take part as an individual or by building up a team of supporters by getting friends, family and colleagues involved. If people don’t want to get involved in the physical act of sleeping outside, they can sponsor others for completing a night under the stars.
Jops Hill, Social Value Coordinator from Heidelberg Materials UK said: “Dozens of our employees from our offices across the UK are busy gathering sponsorship to brave a cold night under the stars for The Big Sleep 2025. Many have already volunteered in the charity’s kitchen and activity rooms last year and we will continue this much needed volunteering in 2025. As a company, Heidelberg Materials has committed to donating several items to help support the Centre. We hope in this way we can make a huge difference to the lives of so many people sleeping rough on Leicester’s streets and continue to raise awareness.”
David Fawcett, Chief Executive at The Bridge Homelessness to Hope, added: “Demand for our services continues to rise to unprecedented levels and we expect 2025 to be even more challenging. With demand for our services rising dramatically, events such as The Big Sleep play a critical role in enabling us to help some of the most vulnerable people in society – but we need your support, by getting involved and sleeping out for us, or by sponsoring our brave volunteers.”
For more information and to register for The Big Sleep 2025, visit https://www.bridgeleicester.org/the-big-sleep-2025
