Berkshire Homelessness charity smashes fundraising target
Launchpad celebrate tremendous result from Big Sleep Out at Home event.
Launchpad’s virtual event, Big Sleep Out at home, saw 190 people from across Berkshire sleep in their garden on Saturday 10 October, to mark World Homeless Day and raise a total of £50,000 to prevent homelessness in Reading - double the event’s fundraising target of £25,000!
Instead of cancelling the annual fundraiser, the charity adapted the Big Sleep Out to ensure it was COVID-safe and asked supporters to swap their comfortable beds for a sleeping in their garden - all to help raise £25,000 so Launchpad can continue ensuring vulnerable people in Reading don’t lose their home and spend night-after-night on the streets.
Kirsti Wilson, Head of Marketing and Fundraising at Launchpad, said:
“We didn’t want COVID-19 to put a stop to the Big Sleep Out but it was a risk hosting the event entirely online after we had such success at the Reading Abbey Ruins in 2019. But once again the people of Reading and our supporters across Berkshire got behind Launchpad. We are bowled over by just how many people took part and by the incredible fundraising total, which exceeded our expectations. It is truly humbling that our community continue to support vulnerable people at a time that is so difficult for everyone."
Launchpad’s next fundraising event would have been Carols by Candlelight, previously held at Reading Minster - but due to continued uncertainty around large-scale events, the service has been cancelled. Launchpad are planning a programme of events for 2021. For more information about Launchpad, or to donate, visit: https://www.launchpadreading.org.uk