Around 150 people are preparing to sleep rough as part of Nottingham's Big Sleep Out this weekend. Homelessness charity Framework will host the 21st annual event at Nottingham Racecourse on Saturday night (October 15).
It said people could still sign up to the sleep out, which hopes to raise £60,000 and will be livestreamed for the first time. Event fundraiser Natalie Dickson, who is organising the sleep out, said people could also take part virtually.
“The Big Sleep Out appeals to people of all ages who want to do something worthwhile for a good cause – in this case supporting our work tackling homelessness and helping to get people off the streets," she said. "It attracts individuals, groups of friends, families, community groups and groups representing local businesses.
Read more: What it was like to take part in the Big Sleep Out in Nottingham
“There is always a great atmosphere at the venue but we know people may find it more convenient to enjoy the event in different ways, and technology now makes it possible for people to take part remotely: for the first time we are using live streaming via social media to bring the excitement of the event in Nottingham to people’s back gardens, to campsites, or wherever people would like to take part.
“However the purpose remains the same – to help people in need and, as we say, to sleep out so others don’t have to.” In the 12 months to March 2022, Framework said its outreach team had found 876 separate individuals rough sleeping in Nottingham.
In the four months to the start of August the team found a further 364 homeless people sleeping rough – 42 per cent of last year’s total in only four months. You can sign up to the sleep out by visiting www.frameworkha.org/sleepout.
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