Big sleep-out to support Julian House
Hundreds of people braved the mud and cold for Julian House’s 10th Big Bath Sleep-out.
Despite initial rain, this year’s Big Bath Sleep-out saw more than 300 people equipped with just sleeping bags, cardboard and plastic sheeting taking part – making it the charity’s most participated Sleep-out to date.
The event, which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, welcomed families, friends, colleagues and community groups to Alice Park and saw them ditching their beds for one night to help raise much needed funds and awareness for Julian House.
Organiser Cathy Adcock is delighted that so many people took part in the event, despite the rain leading up to the event on Friday night.
She said: “We are so pleased that so many people were willing to forgo their normal creature comforts and warm homes for the night.
“Obviously sleeping out for one night doesn’t come close to the realities of homelessness. It does however give people the chance to empathise with those who are forced to sleep rough every night and those that took part certainly did just that.
“It was very heart-warming to see so many children who had encouraged their families to take part with them!”
Primary school children from Weston All Saints, St Nicholas, Saltford, Midsomer Norton, Paulton Infants and Junior School, Bathwick St Mary, Castle, Winsley, Hayesfield Girls and St Saviour’s took part in the sleep out alongside older children and students from Kingswood School, Norton Hill, John Bentley School, Twerton’s Youth Group and Bath Spa University.
Local businesses also got involved including Stone King, Nationwide Bath, Metro Bank, Actual Experience and Pure Planet.
Cathy said: “So far the online donations are running at £30,000 which is outstanding – and there will be more donations coming throughout March. It would be fantastic if it could raise over £50,000 for the charity’s 10th event.
“Thank you to everyone who took part and raised sponsorship and to everyone who made it happen. The team at Alice Park Café continued their support of the event by serving hot drinks and snacks and then serving very welcome bacon rolls for the participants in the early hours of the morning. Special thanks also go to all the volunteers who helped on the night as well as Bath Boules Charitable Trust, Mines Leisure and Kennet Sign & Display.”
You can support Julian House and the Big Bath Sleep-out by donating £5 to help transform a life. Just text BBSO00 £5 to 70070, or to find out more about Julian House go to www. julianhouse.org.uk.