The Big Sleep 2024 will take place on Tuesday 19th March at the University of Leicester and De Montfort University in aid of The Bridge Homelessness to Hope!
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Sleeping out for the night might be fun, but for many people this is an every night reality, and is why The Bridge Homelessness to Hope are once again spending a night sleeping outside to fundraise for their much-needed and important work with the homeless community.
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The Bridge Homelessness To Hope is an outreach to the lost and lonely of Leicester, to the homeless and to those who just have nowhere to go and no one to turn to.
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By participating in this event, you are helping to support the vital work we do, which includes providing:
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A Breakfast and Lunch Service
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Access to Hot Showers
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Clothing and Toiletries
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Washing and Drying Facilities
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We also have three Case Workers, who will look to support our guests with a range of needs, including:
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Housing Advice and Support
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Benefit Advice and Support
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Connecting with a GP or Dentist
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Accessing Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
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Accessing our Creative Sessions including Arts & Crafts, Music, Football, and our Film Club
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Accessing one-to-one mentoring through The Lighthouse Project
Event Details
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When & where will the Big sleep 2024 take place?
The main 'Big Sleep' event will take place on Tuesday 19th March 2024 between 8.00pm - 8.00am at the University of Leicester in Centenary Square and at De Monfort University, in the car park behind Trinity House (on the Newark).*
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This year, we are also offering the chance for people to take part in The Big Sleep 2024 by sleeping outside in their own back gardens between Monday 18th - Sunday 28th March.
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* In the case of adverse weather, The Big Sleep will be moved into the Charles Wilson Sports Hall at the UoL Campus Centre and into the Trinity House Chapel at DMU.
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Who can Get Involved?
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Anyone over the age of 18 can take part in The Big Sleep 2024.
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You can either take part in this fundraising event as an individual or by building up a team of supporters by getting your friends, family and colleagues involved.
Whether they sponsor your 'Big Sleep' or join you for a night under the stars, we want you to get as many people involved as possible in support of The Bridge and to raise awareness of homelessness.
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How do I take part in The Big Sleep 2024?
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To take part in The Big Sleep 2024, you will need to do the following:
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1. Complete a Big Sleep 2024 Registration Form on our website.
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Students from the University of Leicester who are taking part in The Big Sleep will need to complete a Registration Form with UoL.
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Students from the De Montfort University who are taking part in The Big Sleep will need to complete a Registration Form with De Montfort University.
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2. Set up your fundraiser on Enthuse either as an individual or as part of a team. See below for more details.
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Taking Part on Your Own?
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If you are taking part in The Big Sleep on your own, you will need to visit our 'Big Sleep 2024' fundraising page on Enthuse, click the 'Fundraise for us' button at the top of the page and follow the signing up process.
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Taking Part in a Team?
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If you are fundraising as part of a team, you will need to visit our 'Big Sleep 2024' fundraising page on Enthuse, click the 'Create a Team' button located at the top of the page and follow the signing up process.
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Spread The Word!
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All set up? Now it's time to tell everyone about your fundraiser! In order to raise money, you will need sponsors, so get sharing your fundraiser with as many people as possible.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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What you will need:
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A sleeping bag and blankets
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A flask for hot drinks
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Warm clothing - the more layers the better!
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Scarf, hat and gloves
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Cardboard (for under your sleeping bag) will be provided.
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Raising Awareness
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We are trying to make this as authentic as possible, so whilst we encourage you to bring your mobile phone, we would ask that you please keep usage to an absolute minimum and preferably only on social media to promote the event. Fundraising for ‘The Big Sleep’ is of course very important but it’s also important to highlight the issue of homelessness.
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Parking
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Parking is available at The University of Leicester. If you wish to park at UoL, please send us your car registration before the event via info@bridgeleicester.org so that we can notify the university.
Health & Safety
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A risk assessment has been carried out for the event and there will be a qualified first aider on hand throughout.
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There will be toilet access on the University campus.
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Get in Touch!
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For more information about The Big Sleep, please get in touch with us via info@bridgeleicester.org
Thank you in advance from all of us at The Bridge Homelessness to Hope!
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#BIGSLEEP24
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Our Sponsors
"Dozens of our employees from our offices across the UK are busy gathering sponsorship to brave a cold night under the stars for The Big Sleep 2024.
Many have already volunteered in the charity’s kitchen and activity rooms and others will be helping the homeless with employability skills including literacy and numeracy in the near future.
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As a company, Heidelberg Materials has committed to donating 200 sleeping bags, flasks, overnight bags and waterproof capes to the cause each year until 2026.
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We hope in this way we can make a huge difference to the lives of so many people sleeping rough on Leicester’s streets."
"Long Harbour Group is proud to sponsor the Big Sleep for the second year running. With our presence in Leicester, we are aware of the importance of the work The Bridge Homelessness To Hope do to support those in need. Good luck to everyone participating and contributing to improving the lives of the vulnerable people in the Leicester community."
"Once more, Dupli are pleased to be able to support ‘The Big Sleep’ 2024.
This will be our third consecutive year of sending a team of volunteers to join ‘The Big Sleep’ in aid of The Bridge Homelessness to Hope Charity.
Growing up, children see sleeping outside for a night as a great adventure, usually protected by the safe surrounds of garden walls, hedges and fences, but for thousands of adults this is an every night reality. The work that The Bridge Homelessness To Hope is vital in offering a glimmer of light at the end of what may seem like a lonely and seemingly endless tunnel. Dupli are extremely proud to be able to support this great work and we encourage you to do the same."
“Shoe Zone is proud to sponsor The Bridge Homelessness to Hope in their upcoming Big Sleep this year. As we are based in Leicester, we are more than happy to support such a local charity in the vital work they do to in raising awareness and supporting individuals that find themselves facing challenges every night without a place to sleep. By offering a safe place to support people in crisis, The Bridge really are an inspiration to us all.”
