Families raise £10,000 sleeping in for homeless charity

Friday 1^st May saw residents and families pitch tents and make home dens in a major ‘sleep in’ raising almost £10,000 for Yorkshire homelessness charity, Simon on the Streets.

Tasked with sleeping anywhere in the home or garden, the charity’s ’Little Sleep In’ saw dozens of adults and children bed down in dens, tents, sofas and floors in support of the rough sleepers on our streets.

Six-year-old Toby Hunter bedded down in a home-made den raising £225 and his mum, Sam commented:

“Toby took part in the little sleep in after were made aware of the event by one of the Leeds outreach workers. He slept in our lounge in a beach tent.

“We feel that living in a world where everything is at the tip of your fingers, it is important that Toby understands not to take any of that for granted and understands that unfortunately not everyone is as fortunate as him.

“Taking part in fundraising activities and other charity events helps him to understand this in a fun way which helps him remember the event and talks about it to other people, raising awareness of charities.”

Fahad Khan, development manager at Simon on the Streets, said:

“To have raised almost £10,000 is a fantastic achievement, we’re so grateful to Toby and everyone who took part in the Little Sleep In.

“Since events have stopped, our fundraising has diminished and so these funds will go a long way to enable our outreach workers to continue to support the most vulnerable people living on our streets.”

The charity supports homeless and vulnerable people throughout Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees. Its team of six full time outreach keyworkers provide emotional and practical support and continue to support rough sleepers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The event was the first ever fundraiser of its kind for Simon on the Streets. Offering a free downloadable pack for participants to create their own bunting and have fun whilst helping the charity, people shared pictures of their families bedding anywhere in the home and gardens other than their beds.