120 attend 'Sleep Out' at Carrow Road
The annual fundraiser is organised by The Benjamin Foundation to raise money and awareness for local youth homelessness.
Last updated 12th Nov 2021
After a years break the Benjamin Foundation's annual 'Sleep Out' returned to Norwich last night.
120 people braved the elements and slept outside Carrow Road to raise money for young people who are homeless in the county.
Matt Garrod is the Director of Operations at the charity and told us that its great to be back: "We work with approximately 150 young homeless people at one time. All the funds raised will directly support young people. That includes helping them to move on with their lives in various different ways. So, its a real key fundraiser for us".
We also spoke to Rob who's taken part in the event three times. He told us why he keeps on coming back for more: "To see young people who are suffering, are scared and need support....if it would help I'm sure people here would sleep outside for week. It's such a worthwhile cause and something that no child should ever have to go through.
"Yes you will feel tired tomorrow. But you remember it and you talk about it, and its stories that come from this. Guys who we were talking to two years go when we were doing this, one of them had been homeless and now he was doing the Sleep Out to help raise money for those who were now in the position that he was a few years before. That really does bring it all home."
The fundraiser was also attended by the High Sheriff of Norfolk, Michael Gurney.
He told us that fundraisers like these are needed now more than ever in the county: "There are of course problems that have been caused by the pandemic. But also, there has been increased domestic abuse, which means that more people have to leave home.
"So therefore there's going to be an increase in homelessness and hence greater need for organisations like the Benjamin Foundation."