Last year, on 7th February 2020, around 35 brave souls slept out at the Abbey Stadium to raise awareness for homelessness and funds to support Wintercomfort and Cambridge United Community Trust.
This year, with continuing uncertainty around Coronavirus lockdown regulations, we will be holding a Virtual Sleepout, inviting the local community to create their own sleepout experience at home!
You can Sleep Out from anywhere — a garden, terrace, garage or kitchen floor so long as it's safe and legal — and raise urgently-needed funds for two local charities in the process. We want to spread awareness about homelessness, sending a powerful message of solidarity from across Cambridge.
There will be lots of fun live activities before snuggling down on the night itself including a virtual quiz, a bedtime story broadcast, competitions and live-link ups with special guests.
Register for this unique event here.
All proceeds raised will be shared between the Community Trust and Wintercomfort.
The Community Trust use the power of sport and the brand of Cambridge United FC to empower our community and change lives. Their youth engagement inspires hundreds of young people in some of our most high-need areas, aiming to ensure each young person achieves their potential.
Looking ahead to this year’s event, Simon Wall, the Trust’s Communities Manager, commented: “Despite the fact we’re sleeping apart, this event is all about Uniting people with a common cause. It’s time to tackle homelessness and this event is a fun, unique and crafty way to do this. Each year we do this, people get up in the morning, knowing that through having given up their bed for one night, they have made a real difference to their local community.”
Since 1991, Wintercomfort has supported people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home in Cambridge. They provide practical welfare support, counselling, advice, training and opportunities to help bring long lasting, positive change to the lives of the most vulnerable within our community.
“For many people in Cambridge, finding a safe and dry place to sleep is a nightly challenge. Your participation in this event will help to make a positive impact in the lives of these most vulnerable people within our community.”
Melody Brooker – Fundraising and Communications Manager, Wintercomfort for the Homeless