Alabaré's Big Sleep returning to Salisbury Cathedral
It's the charity's flagship fundraiser to support homeless people
The annual Alabaré BIG Sleep at Salisbury Cathedral is returning next month, with hopes that more people than ever will join their flagship sleep out in the cloisters of the iconic Cathedral.
Every year Alabaré asks members of the community to raise sponsorship by spending the night sleeping 'rough', to bring in vital funds and boost awareness of the issue of homelessness.
All the funds raised from the event on Friday 8th March will help Alabaré provide support for homeless people in Salisbury.
The charity provides a range of service in the city including drop-in support and advice to people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, giving them access to food, shower, and help to access accommodation or the further support that they need.
Those who move into Alabaré’s homes are given specialist help to overcome the problems that have led them to become homeless, and training and support so they can successfully rebuild, and move on successfully to the life they choose.
Rebecca Mullen, Alabaré Events Manager says:
“Our BIG Sleep at Salisbury Cathedral again promises to be a powerful, reflective, and yet humbling experience as you bed down for the night, as others who are homeless do every night. For you, it will be just one night; in the morning, you can return to your warm home and comfortable bed.
“We are acutely aware of the mental and physical health pressures on those who are homeless or on the cusp of homelessness right now, and it is imperative that we can continue to provide this vital support. We rely on the generosity of our fantastic supporters to help us raise the funds we need.
“We are joined by people from all walks of life – from groups of young secondary pupils from local schools, corporates that join us annually, through to individuals who come year after year, some of whom are over eighty, who can take real pride in the difference they are making.”
One of those more senior participants is Ted who has undertaken the sleep out many times:
"For those of us privileged to enjoy secure comfort in a settled home, the BIG Sleep event provides just a taste of the demands of the rough sleeping environment. It also offers an opportunity to raise vital funding for Alabaré, an effective and efficient charity devoted to tackling the root causes of homelessness - this within the beautiful cloisters of our wonderful Salisbury Cathedral, and in fellowship with others who are determined to give practical effect to:- 'love your neighbour as yourself'."
Alabaré are asking BIG sleepers to pledge to raise at least £100 per person in sponsorship, or £50 for young people.