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The countdown is on to the return of the Big PNE Sleep Out and we’re backing it for a third time.
Rolling out the cardboard at Deepdale we’ll be bedding down to help raise vital funds to try and help tackle rising female homelessness in the city.
Blog Preston team members including co-editor Kate Rosindale, founder and editor Ed Walker and co-editor Luke Beardsworth will join the hundreds of kind-hearted Prestonians already signed up to take part.
Read more: Powerful short film hears from women who face life on the streets of Preston
We’ve worked closely to help run the Big PNE Sleep Out in 2019 and 2023 as it raised nearly £150,000 in total across the two events.
This year’s event is seeking to raise £100,000 for initiatives from the Foxton and the Preston North End Community and Education trust which help women who are experiencing or at risk of rough sleeping.
Kate said: “I’m taking part in the Sleep Out once more as it’s an experience that really stays with you. There’s a great sense of community on the night, but it also gives a small glimpse into the harsh realities of being homeless. I’m especially glad that we’re focusing on women this year. It’s so important to highlight the unique challenges they face and raise as much as we can to support them.”
This year’s event returns on Friday 27 March and we’ll be sleeping at the side of the hallowed turf of Deepdale once again. The last event in 2023 saw the heavens open and there was a sea of soggy cardboard everywhere.
Luke said: “I’ve spent time at The Foxton, and spoken with people using their services. These are people from all walks of life, and homelessness is something only a few of us are truly safe from. They are former architects, tailors, builders and veterans who now find themselves waking up just hoping their sleeping bag isn’t soaked through – if they’ve got one.
“The Foxton provides a support network, a place to go, safety and doesn’t make service users run the lottery of trying get help that they might see elsewhere. It’s invaluable to the city and for the people who need it. We need people to support this event so The Foxton has what it needs to keep helping people.”
We’re calling on Blog Preston readers to back our fundraising efforts as we try to chip in £500 or more towards the total. You can donate via our Justgiving page.
There’s also still time to sign up to take part too, so if you can put up with Luke’s snoring you can register via the Foxton’s website and secure your place and get fundraising ahead of the big night.
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