A HOMELESS CHARITY is preparing for its Solihull ‘sleepout’.
Basil Bear will be joining hundreds of fundraisers at the St Basil’s Solihull Sleepout on Friday March 2.
St Basil’s has at any one time 450 young people living in 29 supported accommodation schemes which see over 1,200 youngsters every year.
The event, now in its fourth year, takes place in the covered car park of the Renewal Church on Lode Lane in Solihull.
Last year the event raised over £25,000.
Hundreds of people have volunteered to challenge themselves by sleeping rough for a night in the car park.
The money they raise goes to the local charity St Basil’s to help prevent youth homelessness.
St Basil’s said: “This event is designed to raise awareness of youth homelessness and to provide a means of raising money so we can try and stop it happening in the first place.
“We do not say that this is what it’s like to be homeless. What we do say is, if you challenge yourself to do this for just one night, you can raise money and stop a vulnerable young person having to experience this kind of thing for real.
“I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who is going to take part and for the continued help we get from the Renewal Church, LangarAid, Smurfit Kappa and Jaffabox.”
Councillor Alison Rolf, the cabinet portfolio holder for housing and the environment, will be taking part.
She said: “I have never done anything like this before so it will definitely be an experience! I don’t even go camping!
“I am prepared to go without my creature comforts for one night to raise money for St Basil’s and awareness of homelessness. Please either volunteer to take part or sponsor someone who is and help make this event the most successful year yet!”
Participants build their homes for the night out of cardboard and a prize is given to the most imaginative structure.
They will also be fed with free Indian food from the charity LangarAid and entertained with live music from the local band DNR. Barrie Hodge, head of fundraising for
St Basils was formed in 1972 in St Basils Church on Heath Mill Lane in Birmingham.
It supports over 5,000 16-25 year olds each year who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness across Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Warwickshire, Worcestershire and Wyre Forest.
Entry to the event is free but everyone taking part is encouraged to raise as much as they can from individual sponsorship.
For more information, visit www.stbasils.org.uk/solihullsleepout or phone 0121 772 9614.
