Not the Big Snooze 2011

After a lovely day spring day on Friday 25 March, 24 volunteers  gathered at Leicestershire County Cricket Club to sleep outside to raise awareness about homelessness in Leicester and Leicestershire and raise funds for local charity Action Homeless. And then the temperature tumbled. By 3am there was a marked reluctance by anyone to poke their nose out of their sleeping bag.

A good night was had by all. Staff and residents of Action Homeless projects looked after the volunteers. Spicy soup was served up and games played to earn extra cardboard before the volunteers settled down on their makeshift beds to try to get a few hours rest.

All the volunteers had worked really hard to raise their sponsorship for this event and a very creditable £5000 has been given or pledged. Joanne and Linda who took part said, “Everyone worked so hard looking after us so well and we enjoyed our sleep out.” They even said that they wanted to do it again. Andrew said, “It was a very worthwhile night and has left me with much to think about.”

Jonathan Cryer, Senior Fundraiser for Action Homeless, said, “We are really pleased with how the event turned out. The volunteers got into the spirit of it. The Cricket Club facilities worked really well. Our residents provided a great stewarding team and a great amount of money has been raised.”

To find out more about other Action Homeless events coming up this year or to make your donation to help homeless people have a chance for change you can visit www.actionhomeless.org.uk or call Jonathan Cryer at Action Homeless on 01162211851 or email jonathancryer@actionhomeless.org.uk