Two days to go until our #sleepwithsimon event in Leeds. What started out as 45 people sleeping out in cardboard boxes in a church yard in 2010 has grown a bit. In 2015 our Leeds sleep out looks set for the biggest turn out and the highest fundraising total that we’ve ever had at this event, or indeed for any event that we have ever run to help us raise the funds we need to exist as an independent homeless charity. Earlier this year we did our first #sleepwithsimon event at John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield where we also have a project, an event that also looks set to grow year on year. We also hope that in the next couple of years we can also run the event in Bradford, the home city of our third project.
#sleepwithsimon is not about replicating rough sleeping, we couldn’t ever do that, the reason being that rough sleeping is about so much more than sleeping out on the streets. In one night we could never give you all the context that leads up to such a situation of homelessness; all the loss, poverty, hardship, trauma, addiction, poor mental health and alcoholism, issues that are at the root of why people find themselves living on the streets. Our sponsored sleep out is in a gated arena with stewards, facilities and the opportunity to buy refreshments. We hope that those participating in the sleep out this Thursday will feel that they are supported and valued by our team at Simon on the Streets and all the volunteers who are helping us to run this huge event. It is, however, a challenge. A challenge with many different facets. Sleeping outside, with no shelter or overhead cover is hard. Sleeping outside in the city, with all the strange sounds and lights that exist within the dead of night, is hard. Experiencing a sensation of loneliness, even when you are surrounded by other people (something that a lot of people who have slept out with us in the past have told us they have felt) is hard.
Obviously, we need funds to continue our work across the region, but #sleepwithsimon isn’t just about that, it has a dual purpose. #sleepwithsimon is also about education and understanding. Our team will be at the event throughout the night, ready to answer questions about the people that we work with and what their lives are really like. Getting a closer insight into the lives of those far more vulnerable than ourselves, can cause many people to develop a real sense of empathy, not only for our clients, but for those who suffer in general with difficult lives. And this in a sense is at the core of #sleepwithsimon. It is an opportunity to really gain understanding of a very complex minority group whilst supporting an organisation that is dedicated to helping them.
And, it has to be said, #sleepwithsimon can be a lot of fun. There is a real unity and community throughout the event, and a lot of laughter.
It is not too late to sign up for the challenge. Please visit the website to register or get in touch directly with any questions that you have on admin@simononthestreets.co.uk or call 0113 8980568. If you can’t join us at the sleep out but would like to donate to the fundraising for the event you can by textingSWSL15 £5 to 70070 to donate £5 or visit our JustGiving page and make a donation there.
Thank you.
#Simon