Brighton homeless charity Off The Fence stages first-ever virtual Big Sleep Out

For over 20 years, Off The Fence’s vision has been to see an end to social and spiritual poverty in Brighton and Hove.

Their virtual sleep-out on October 10 into October 11 is taking place the night before World Homeless Day.

Charity spokesman Roy Stannard: “The event will be virtual in the sense that people will be doing it in ones and twos rather than all gathering together; instead they will be sleeping in back gardens or wherever is safe for them to do so, all to emulate the experience of rough sleepers.”

Organisers are looking for hundreds of people to take part. By doing it virtually there is no limit to the numbers taking part.

“The situation surrounding homelessness in what is the fourth most affected city in the UK is likely to get much worse before it gets better and we are facing a perfect storm of Covid-19, an economic downturn and the likely impact of Brexit in January. So it’s more important than ever to pitch in and help one another where we can.

“Do you take for granted walking into a warm house at the end of a long, cold winter’s day, tucking into a hot meal and finally climbing into a comfortable bed? For so many rough sleepers around the city of Brighton and Hove, this is far from their reality.

“Off The Fence exists to meet the practical and emotional needs of the homeless in our city. Without the generous donations of willing participants and supporters this project simply cannot run.

“ Find your sleeping bag and your warmest clothes, find a spot in a secure outdoor space at home (you can even build a den somewhere with the kids) and help us support those who are facing winter on the streets.

“Schools, clubs and associations have thrown themselves in cardboard boxes and slept out in the past – and by widening it to anyone with a safe outdoor space, we hope to make the event bigger and better than ever. Participants will gain exclusive access to a range of exciting activities and guest appearances.”

More details :www.offthefence.org.uk; Facebook: www.facebook.com/OTFBigSleepOut/

Just Giving page: http://www.justgiving.com/campaign/otfbigsleepout2020

“For over 20 years Off The Fence has been working in the Brighton and Hove area with the area’s most vulnerable people, tackling social and spiritual poverty, and helping members of the community who are facing crisis situations with little or no support. Our priority is to provide a practical, emotional and psychological safety net for the socially excluded in Brighton & Hove.

“To this end Off The Fence operates three projects: Antifreeze, a day centre for the homeless – part of an emergency outreach to rough sleepers: a schools programme for 6-18 year olds; and Gateway, a women’s centre supporting women in crisis.

“Our mission can be summarised as: resisting poverty; empowering people; restoring hope.”

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