Reading homelessness charity fundraising blow

Launchpad has called off its 'Big sleep out'

Author: Jonathan RichardsPublished 19th Jun 2024

Launchpad say they've taken the very difficult decision to cancel this year’s Big Sleep Out, which was due to take place on Saturday 6 July.

They say its owing to fewer people signing up than expected.

With the event just three weeks away, based on sign up numbers there was a risk that the event would cost Launchpad more money than it would raise. Meaning it would take money away from our services, which the charity says it couldn’t justify.

Difficult

Fiona Keyte, fundraising manager at Launchpad, said:

“It was such a difficult and sad decision to make, and we would like to say sorry to everyone who had signed up to support us.

"We wanted the Big Sleep Out to be a memorable evening filled with lots of supporters, a strong community spirit and everyone enjoying the entertainment.

"We know that cancelling will be a disappointment to everyone that had signed up.

"We are committed to helping anyone who would like to organise their own Big Sleep Out - at their home, school or workplace and will be promoting ‘Your Big Sleep Out in the coming weeks.

"Securing donations is vital, to ensure that we can continue to deliver our much-needed work and we will adapt our activities to make this as easy as possible for our supporters to get involved.”

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