Housing Trust in Norwich hosting sleepout at City's Cathedral, next Friday
It's all in an effort to raise money and awareness for those sleeping rough in Norwich
Next Friday, those from a Housing Trust in Norwich will gather in the cloisters of the cathedral in the city, where they will spend the night braving the elements.
It's all in an effort to raise money and awareness for those sleeping rough in Norwich, an year round issue, but particularly felt during this cold snap, according to the charity.
Saint Martin’s last sleepout reportedly raised over £8,000 for the charity.
"It's so important to raise awareness"
Dr Jan Sheldon is their CEO:
"It's so important to raise awareness about people sleeping rough 365 days of the year. Each season has its challenges when you're sleeping rough.
"It's our mission at Saint Martins to make sure that no one needs to sleep rough on the streets of Norwich.
"Like all charities, we are struggling with the cost of living and increasing costs across the board, particularly in relation to energy.
"So for us it's important to do that and also it will support the building of a new project as on Netherwood Green that we're currently committed to, which should complete at the end of this calendar year.’
"A small glimpse into how it feels to sleep outside"
Charity members will be at the Cathedral from 7:30pm where they will spend the night, in what they hope will highlight just a few of the problems those sleeping rough face.
"It's by no means something that we think will replicate a real rough sleeping experience, but it does give a small glimpse into how it feels to sleep outside when it's really, really cold.
"We're supporting in the region of 300 people with an amazing team of 200 dedicated workers and we really, really keen to share more information about the work we do and the critical nature of supporting people who are rough sleeping or homeless.’