Swindon's community rallies support for homeless charity's sleep out

By Claire Dukes - 3 December 2018

CharitySocial EnterpriseFamilyCommunity

A local homeless charity has received immense support from the Swindon community and Great Western Hospital staff for its sponsored sleep out this week.

On Friday 7 December, Threshold Housing Link will be hosting The Big SleepOut 2018 at Immanuel United Reform Church.

In a bid to raise awareness of homelessness during the winter months, the charity are asking Swindon's community and businesses to join them in solidarity to support the town's rough sleepers. To date, more than 100 people have registered to take part in the event.

Michael Keenan Threshold’s Business Development Manager said: “I can’t begin to imagine the horrors of being so exposed and having to be sleeping rough in the winter weather. With snow last week, and gale force winds this week it polarises how terrible the situation is that we have so many people sleep rough on our streets. At ‘The Big SleepOut’ for one night only we place ourselves in the shoes of those that are street homeless and we join them in solidarity through this sponsored SleepOut to raise essential and critical funds to prevent homelessness right here in Swindon.  

“This year’s ‘The Big SleepOut’ is shaping up to be the biggest homeless solidarity event Swindon has ever seen. Participation numbers continue to rise as Swindon's strong community spirit defies the cold and damp of winter. To date 117 people have officially registered and there is still 7 days to go! And a further 45 Police Cadets will be joining satellite SleepOuts across Wiltshire on the same night.

“Many families are joining ‘The Big SleepOut ‘this year, and there are participants with their parents as young as 6 years of age joining us - along with the eldest, a longstanding supporter of Threshold, Sister Mary Mulkeen who is 87.

“We really want to make it easy for all of Swindon to get involved - local business’s and all those community groups, organisations and churches that support social improvement, to make a positive difference. We feel that when we all work together towards a common strategy we truly believe we can solve this societal issue! 

“Register now at www.thl.org.uk and together we will take a stand against homelessness and raise critical funds to prevent homelessness right here in the heart of this great Town."

Your Comments

Be the first to comment on this article

Login or Register to post a comment on this article

Subscribe to The Link

Registered in England & Wales. No: 4513027, Positive Media Group, Old Bank House, 5 Devizes Road, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 4BJ