Jack Curry, a student at the University of Winchester writes for stevebrine.com ahead of the Big Sleep Out.
The Big Sleep Out
By Jack Curry
On May 15 2009 Steve Brine and his team will be sleeping out under the stars in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral to support the City’s homeless organisations.
The Big Sleep Out has been arranged to raise money and awareness for Winchester Churches Nightshelter and Trinity Winchester, both of whom provide a vital service to the many who spend every night on the city’s streets.
A recent study has shown how homelessness in Hampshire is a huge problem that demands efficient and responsive local services. Winchester itself has a particularly high influx of homeless residents due in part to its perceived affluence. Founded in 1988, Winchester Churches Nightshelter is an independent local charity that provides a warm bed and hot meals for homeless people in the safe and friendly environment of The Nightshelter, located on Jewry Street. Trinity Winchester is often seen as the first port of call for people who are suffering the effects of homelessness, poverty, substance misuse, social isolation and mental health issues. Both organisations greatly benefit from any support, great or small, and can be found at either www.trinitywinchester.org.uk or www.wcns.org.uk.
The Big Sleep Out aims to raise the profile of these key services in the local community. The event will consist of 500 sponsored Winchester residents sleeping within Cathedral Close in central Winchester. It is the City’s biggest ever fundraising event for the homeless and as such has attracted many notable names for its cause, including the Bishop and Major of Winchester, Debbie Thrower, Peter Henley and Ed Mitchell – Author of From Headlines to Hard Times.
Steve Brine was keen from the start to take part in the event and has said; “the issue of homelessness is one very close to my heart”. Refreshments will be provided by the Army’s huge BBQ and Brasserie Blanc Sleeper’s Soup in what will truly be a team effort. There will be talks given that highlight the plight of the homeless, with real life stories from Ed Mitchell plus a special reading from the Chesil Street performers.
The event begins at 19.30 on Friday May 15 and so far has attracted around 300 sleepers, so there is more to be done! Please join Steve Brine and the team by becoming a Sleeper, sponsoring a Sleeper or having your own sponsored Sleep In.
All of the details on how to get involved in this fantastic event can be found on the event’s website, www.bigsleepout.org.
stevebrine.com will keep you updated on the success of the occasion in the coming weeks with a follow-up article that will let you know how we all got on. In the mean time, start scrounging for that sponsorship money!
Note: Jack Curry is a student at the University of Winchester and will be taking part in the event on Friday May 15. The content of Jack's blog represents a personal perspective and does not necessarily represent the view of the Conservative Party.