Councillor Jane Rutter, 817th Mayor of Winchester is taking on the challenge of sleeping outside for a night to raise funds and awareness for local homelessness charity Trinity Winchester.
This will be the 5th Big Sleep Out to take place in Winchester, and the event has raised over £90,000 for local homelessness charities to date.
On Friday 5th May teams of companies, churches, schools, families and friends are encouraged to sleep in the Inner Close of the Cathedral, raising sponsorship as they sleep. Registration is open now at: www.trinitywinchester.org.uk/bigsleepout and costs £10, which includes Big Sleep Out beanie hat.
The Mayor said:
I am delighted to be a part of this event. Homelessness is an issue very close to my heart, and I am keen to help people who have fallen on hard times. The Big Sleep Out is not an experience of being homeless, as we can’t pretend to understand what that is like, but it gets people thinking and fundraising, and every penny will be used by Trinity to help people to better their situation.
Trinity Winchester provide a day centre, outreach service, full learning programme, and practical day-to-day support for an average of 50 homeless and vulnerable people every day. The money raised will be used to continue this range of services, supporting people to more positive futures.
Sue McKenna, Operations Director at Trinity said:
This is the fifth Big Sleep Out that we have held, and we are so grateful to the Dean and Chapter of Winchester Cathedral for generously hosting once again. Trinity has supported over 10,000 people since it began 30 years ago, but there are still many people who need support.
Councillor Rutter has supported many homeless people throughout her term as Mayor, including helping to prepare an Indian meal served to clients of Trinity and Winchester Churches Nightshelter in the Light of Bengal restaurant, and dishing up a free Christmas meal in Winchester High Street.
The Mayor continued:
I would encourage people to join in the Big Sleep Out. It is an eye opening experience, and the money raised will help some of the most disadvantaged people in our community. I’m looking forward to the challenge, and I’m starting to collect bubble wrap to keep myself warm through the night!
