Things to do
This weekend
Coming to a back garden near you – The Brick’s Big Back Garden Sleep returns for a night under the stars to raise cash for the homeless.
The Wigan charity is inviting people to once again join the big sleep-out on Saturday to raise much-needed funds for those facing poverty due to the pandemic.
Whether people want to camp out in their back garden, create a den, or even sleep in a treehouse, everyone is invited to help The Brick raise cash for local families in need.
The demand for food parcels is at an all-time high and many of them are needed to feed children who desperately require support. One food parcel costs £15 and to feed a family of four for a week costs £45.
Mum Jane Webb slept out in her garden with her family last year. She says: “When it got cold in the early hours of the morning, it really made us think about people out on the streets because we knew we could go inside to our comfy beds. Homeless people don’t have that choice.”
The Brick boss Louise Green explains: “Last year, we had to cancel the annual town centre sleep-out and hold the first Big Back Garden Sleep last April. We were humbled by how quickly the community came together to raise £24,000.
“This year we want to encourage even more families to join us to not only raise more money than last year but to have a wonderful night together.”
You can join the campers at facebook.com/ TheBrickWigan and donate at justgiving.com/ campaign/thebigbackgardensleep