Dame Helen’s bedtime story for rough sleepers
Charity event to raise £40m for homeless
DAME Helen Mirren and Will Smith will read bedtime stories to thousands of people as they sleep rough to raise money to help the homeless.
The World’s Big Sleep Out, described as “a Live Aid for homelessness” by organisers, will see 50,000 people in 50 locations around the globe sleep outside on a single night this December.
Dame Helen will be in Trafalgar Square, in London, as tens of thousands of people try to raise £40million.
Will Smith will be in New York’s Times Square. The pair will read stories to the crowds bedding down for the night.
Dame Helen said: “Homelessness on our streets is a real problem in the UK and for many nations throughout the world. The World’s Big Sleep Out campaign will play an important role in shining the political spotlight on the issues of homelessness and displacement whilst raising considerable funds to make a big difference.” Organiser Josh Littlejohn said it follows the success of similar Sleep in the Park
JOSH LITTLEJOHN EVENT ORGANISER
events he organised in his hometown of Edinburgh and three other Scottish cities over the past two years, which have raised almost £8million.
Josh is the founder of Social Bite, a cafe chain which give jobs to the homeless and offers customers the chance to purchase food for a homeless person along with their own meal.
It opened its first premises in 2007 in Edinburgh and made headlines when actor George Clooney visited in 2015.
Mr Littlejohn said: “Our very first Sleep Out in Edinburgh drew 8,000 people and raised £4million. We hope The World’s Big Sleep Out will be a Live Aid for the homelessness issue.
“One of the objectives is to really create a sense of political urgency around this issue. Also for people to leave with a change in perspective and an increased sense of compassion. There is still too much stigma around homelessness. ”
Others taking part include the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, presenter Lisa Snowdon, singer Jamelia and presenters Kate Garraway and Anita Rani.
People are also encouraged to hold private sleep-outs in back gardens, office car parks and school premises.
Money raised will go to homelessness charities, with a 50/50 split between local and global organisations.
■ For more information and to register for the event, visit bigsleepout.com.
We want to create a sense of political urgency on the issue