A cold and drizzly night sleeping outside at Eden’s tenth annual Sleep Out for Homelessness raised more than £12k.
Close to 90 determined fundraisers spent a chilly night bedding down outside the Biomes earlier this month, raising money for homelessness charities St Petrocs and the Amber Foundation.
The event came at time when the two charities have seen a significant increase in people struggling to afford basic essentials, with demand for their services at an all-time high. According to research from Shelter, around 271,000 people were recorded as homeless in England at the beginning of this year, 123,000 of which were children.
Dan James, Eden’s development director, said: “The last ten years of hosting, and taking part in, the Sleep Out at Eden, I’ve had the honour to meet lots of former clients of St Petrocs and the Amber Foundation.
“What is incredibly humbling is that he vast majority were living normal lives before their personal circumstances changed – job loss, relationship breakdown, unforeseen changes to their support network – it could happen to any one of us. Empathy and compassion are the greatest tools we as a society have to help change perceptions and support those who find themselves in a vulnerable position.”
Lois Wild, director of engagement and communications at St Petrocs, said: “Our heartfelt thanks go out to every supporter who braved the cold at the tenth Sleep Out. Their commitment fuels our mission to end homelessness, providing crucial support, hope, and a pathway to stability.”
