Our Big Sleep Out the biggest and best yet

100 volunteers brave the elements to help the homeless

November Big Sleep Out raises £20K+

Last Friday 12th November, over 100 hardy volunteers took part in Brighton & Hove homeless charity Off the Fence’s The Big Sleep Out to raise over £20,000 for the rough sleepers of Brighton & Hove. Supporters including Graham Potter, Bruno Saltor and Billy Reid of BHAFC, MDs and staff of companies such as Telefonica Tech, Sutton Winson and Lawton & Dawe, set up camp at North Side Green, St Peter's Church, York Place, Brighton BN1 4GU to experience the reality of what it’s like to sleep rough. 

Cllr Alan Robins, Mayor of Brighton & Hove presided over the first 90 minutes, followed by a rough shelter-making competition with prizes for the best cardboard construction.

Through the generosity of corporate supporters, there were two tents (one for children, the other for food and necessary admin), along with a full PA system, spotlights and an inflatable cinema screen to show films about the accommodation and poverty issue in this area. Food was provided by the street food charity Crossover, which meant that the money spent on providing food would also go to the homeless community. Brighton & Hove’s street services work with 15 new cases of rough sleeping each week - around the same number who die on the streets of exposure and hunger. Nationally, it is estimated by Shelter that 200,000 people will spend Christmas outside. The average life expectancy of male rough sleepers is 45 and women 43.

Off The Fence CEO and Founder Paul Young was blown-away by the response. “This was by far the biggest Sleep Out that we’ve done. It was also the most high profile. It meant that we had twice as many people as any of the previous 23 sleep outs and raised 4 times as much as our previous best. Having the support of the three Seagulls coaches was amazing - but it was a common experience for all to show solidarity with and support for the socially disadvantaged of our City.”  

Graham Potter had this to say, “We had an easy version of sleeping rough but it still gave us an insight into the challenges the homeless community face on a daily and nightly basis. Having experienced just one night out on the street, I cannot imagine what it would be like suffering in this way with no idea of what the future holds, or where the next meal might be coming from. There is a ridiculous stigma attached. These are some of the most vulnerable members of our society, and they need our help and support. Many are suffering from illness, poor health and it is heart breaking in 2021 that we still see people living on our streets.

There are some amazing charities like Off The Fence across the UK, and here in Brighton and Hove, who do some amazing work. It's getting tougher for those organisations, and as we move into the depths of winter when the nights will get colder, with temperatures going sub-zero, I would urge those of you who can, to give them your support this winter." Graham Potter finished the evening by reading an appropriate bedtime story to the assembled volunteers – James Bowen’s ‘A Street Cat Named Bob’!

If you missed out there is still time to donate via www.offthefence.org.uk/thebigsleepout

or Text OTFBSO10 to 70085 to donate £10 (change 10 to any number to donate different amounts).

OTFBSONOINFO TO 70085 if you don’t want further messages.