FORGET a night with the stars, a Reading-based charity is hoping you’ll have a night under them instead.
Launchpad is holding its annual Big Sleep Out event this autumn and, for the first time since the pandemic, it will be back together again.
The charity, which aims to help people who are homeless or need help at a time of crisis, is to hold the event in Reading Abbey on the night of Saturday, October 8. The date coincides with World Homeless Day.
Over the past two years, it has held a virtual event, asking supporters to sleep out in their gardens.
The event aims to raise £40,0000, which will help it run services across the cost of living crisis.
The charity, based in Merchants Place, says the evening offers an insight into some of the things people experience when they’re rough sleeping – such as cold temperatures, an uncomfortable bed and limited sleep.
The event begins with an evening of entertainment at St Laurence’s Church – hosted by Launchpad patrons Matt Allwright and Danyl Johnson.
It will include live music, a prize raffle, a hot meal, and talks from Launchpad staff and clients. Then all participants head over to the Reading Abbey Ruins to bed down for the night until the next morning.
This will be the charity’s 17th year hosting its Big Sleep Out, and it is its biggest fundraiser.
The event in 2019 was the first time it had been held in Reading Abbey and the team are looking forward to returning to it.
Vicki Lewis, Fundraising Manager at Launchpad, said, “We are delighted to be bringing the Big Sleep Out back to the incredible Reading Abbey Ruins.
“The site is a truly iconic landmark for the town and a special place for crowds of local people to sleep out, mark World Homeless Day and raise vital funds for the charity.
“We’re hoping for our biggest and best Big Sleep Out yet.”
She added: “Our services at Launchpad are a lifeline to over 1,100 local people every year and over the next few months, we know there are going to many more people who find themselves on the brink of homelessness and in desperate need of our support.
“We would love people to join #TeamLaunchpad for the Big Sleep Out and help us raise £40,000 to fund this vital work and ensure people avoid homelessness.
“By sleeping out, we can ensure others in Reading don’t have to.”
This year’s event’s headline sponsor is planning, regeneration and design consultancy Stantec/Barton Wilmore. It is also supported by workplace services provider Active Workplace Solutions.
Stephen Toole, a director at Stantec/Barton Willmore, said: “Climate change and social inequality remain the UKs two biggest and most difficult challenges.
“The Big Sleep Out at Reading Abbey Ruins is a huge opportunity for us and Reading’s business community to support Launchpad and their critical work supporting those most impacted by the latter of these.
“Delivering community development across the Thames Valley (and the wider UK) that is equitable and designed with communities in mind, lies at the heart of everything we are striving to achieve within the industry, and as such we’re delighted to support one of our favourite local charities’ flagship fundraising event.
“We are all hugely looking forward to spreading the word and helping raise their highest total yet.”
Registration for the Big Sleep Out is £20 per person and Launchpad is asking each participant to fundraise a minimum of £250.
The charity has created a Big Sleep Out guide to help participants fundraise and spread the word about their challenge, and they’ll also receive lots of support and resources from Launchpad’s fundraising team.
For more information, log on to: launchpadreading.org.uk/bigsleepout
