A SLEEP-OUT will be held in the ruins of Coventry Cathedral to highlight the issue of homelessness and raise funds for charities tackling it in the city.
St Basils, YMCA Heart of England and Cyrenians have come together as part of the City of Culture ‘HOME’ festival to host the Coventry sleepout which starts on October 9 and ends on World Homeless Day on October 10.
Steve Rainbow, St Basils events manager , said: “St Basils, YMCA Heart of England and Cyrenians are working tirelessly in Coventry to prevent homelessness and support people who are experiencing hardship. To help us to do even more, we are holding a fundraising sleep-out event in the ruins of old Coventry Cathedral.
“The event challenges people to sleep out for a night and help raise money so that more young people don’t have to experience the plight of sleeping rough for real.
David Wootten, fund-raising and donations coordinator at YMCA Heart of England added: “All the money raised by this unique event will go towards supporting young vulnerable people in Coventry who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“Research conducted by YMCA found that just one in four young people who are homeless believe the public care about youth homelessness.
“We hope this event will show that there are many people who care, and that by coming together to raise vital funds we can support even more young people to build a better life.”
Caron Williams, CEO of Coventry Cyrenians, added: “Anyone is welcome to attend and we are urging individuals, groups of friends or companies to sign-up to take part.
“Lots of businesses are getting involved and we’d urge as many as possible to come on board and support your local homelessness charities to help prevent youth homelessness in Coventry.”
Anyone wishing to take part in the City of Culture ‘HOME’ festival sleepout can find out more here.
Alternatively, call 0121 772 9623 or email [email protected] for further details.
