THE BIG Sleep is back for its 15th year helping those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless.
Now in 2023, the Salisbury-based charity is hoping that more people than ever will join the BIG Sleep and sleep out for one night on the cold hard floor of the cathedral cloisters.
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Alabare events manager, Rebecca Mullen, said: “Our BIG Sleep at Salisbury Cathedral again promises to be a powerful, reflective, and yet humbling experience as you bed down for the night, as others who are homeless do every night. For you, it will be just one night; in the morning, you can return to your warm home and comfortable bed.
“We are acutely aware of the mental and physical health pressures on those who are homeless or on the cusp of homelessness right now, and it is imperative that we can continue to provide this vital support. We rely on the generosity of our fantastic supporters to help us raise the funds we need.
“We are joined by people from all walks of life. From young secondary pupils from local schools, corporates that come year after year, through to die-hards, some of whom are over eighty, they feel real pride in the difference their one night of compassion is having.”
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Alabare’s Somewhere to Go project in Salisbury provides drop-in support and advice to those who are at risk of becoming homeless or are already without a place to live. It enables people to have a shower, and a hot meal and gives them the help needed to access accommodation.
This can be a lifeline.
Rebecca added: “This is the 15th year we have slept out at Salisbury Cathedral – we hope that many local people will want to take part and help support others whose lives have been struck by hardship and crisis – as a community we can all be there for one another.”
When attending, there is the opportunity to find out more about the charity’s work and to hear from some of the people who have benefitted.
Alabaré is asking BIG sleepers to pledge to raise at least £100 per person in sponsorship, or £50 for young people in preparation for this year’s BIG Sleep on Friday, March 10.
For more, go to www.alabare.co.uk
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