A sleep out challenge for a homeless charity is back next month following another disappointing year for fundraising.
Sleep Out for Sanctuary Trust will take place on Saturday 20th November in Pier Road car park and organisers are hopeful for a big turnout.
Last year’s event was cancelled just days before it was scheduled to take place due to covid restrictions and the charity’s other main fundraiser, Walk into Light, has not taken place since 2019.
The aim of the November event is to raise funds and awareness of not having a safe place to call home and to experience sleeping out for one night without your normal comforts.
Sarah Tumelty, general manager of the charity has said since the pandemic, the charity has seen a massive increase in demand for its services especially among young adults.
“Currently, over half of our rooms at Sanctuary House are occupied by men under the age of 30 years old, who are struggling to find permanent accommodation due to high rents and an extreme shortage of accommodation on the Island, both in the private sector and within social housing.”
The homeless community also includes many women and the charity has noted a desperate need to address this in the not too distant future but for now, they are concentrating on the men they support.
“Sanctuary Trust is 10 years old this year and since our humble beginnings in 2011 we have come to realise that the most important thing we can offer is hope and support to those who have fallen through the cracks in society and require help to recover and return to independent living.”
Miss Tumelty said the event will remain as authentic as possible and although it might not be the most comfortable night you will ever spend she hopes it will be one of the most memorable.
Money raised from the Sleep Out will help fund the projects and services required by the charity to ultimately put an end to homelessness on the Island.
