Accrington Stanley’s Wham Stadium will host the very first Big Accrington Sleep Out on Friday 23rd October, bringing the community together for a special night in support of people experiencing homelessness.
Organised by Maundy Relief, Shelter Lancashire and the Accrington Stanley Community Trust, the event will see people from across the local community swap their beds for sleeping bags and spend a night under the Lancashire sky, raising vital funds for two organisations working to ensure people facing homelessness can access the help and support they need.
The event will also help raise awareness around World Homelessness Day, which takes place earlier in the month on Saturday 10th October.
The Big Accrington Sleep Out promises to be a memorable evening of community, awareness, entertainment and fundraising at the home of Accrington Stanley, before participants settle down for the night.
Registration costs just £10, with everyone taking part encouraged to raise a minimum of £50 through their own online fundraising page.
Anyone who would love to join the Sleep Out but is unable to fundraise can instead choose to contribute the £50 minimum themselves and still be part of the night.
Every pound raised through the event will be split equally between Maundy Relief and Shelter, helping both organisations continue their work supporting people experiencing homelessness and making sure nobody has to face homelessness alone.
Maundy Relief and Shelter will be there to help participants every step of the way, providing fundraising ideas, tips and materials to make reaching that £50 target as easy and enjoyable as possible.
While spending a night sleeping out at the Wham Stadium cannot replicate the realities faced by people experiencing homelessness, organisers hope the event will create an opportunity for people to come together, reflect, build greater understanding and make a practical difference.
Accrington Stanley CEO Warren Eastham said: “We’re incredibly proud to be hosting the very first Big Accrington Sleep Out here at the Wham Stadium. Maundy Relief and Shelter are two fantastic causes doing hugely important work, and we hope the people of Accrington and beyond will really get behind the event. It promises to be a special night that brings our community together while raising vital funds and awareness.”
Patron of Maundy Relief Julie Hesmondhalgh said: “We are so grateful to Accrington Stanley and to the Accrington Stanley Community Trust for supporting us.
“We’re looking forward to hearing from you if you’d like to take part. As a volunteer, as someone who wants to sleep out with us, as a sponsor or someone who wants to provide goods and services, please get in touch.”
Maundy Relief CEO Lucy Hardwick said: “We’d love to see as many people as possible sign up and join us for what we hope will be a really special night for Accrington. It might not be the comfiest night’s sleep you’ve ever had, but it could be one of the most meaningful. By taking part and raising whatever you can, you’ll be helping us support people in our community who are facing incredibly difficult circumstances.”
Whether taking part with friends, family, colleagues or as an individual, organisers are encouraging the community to get involved, set themselves a fundraising challenge and make the first Big Accrington Sleep Out a night to remember.
Sign up for The Big Accrington Sleep Out:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-big-accrington-sleep-out-tickets-1998221420058
Find out more about Maundy Relief: maundyrelief.org.uk/
Find out more about Shelter: england.shelter.org.uk/
