AN annual fundraising event which has brought in more than £100,000 to aid homeless people since 2014 is due to be held at the Eden Project, near St Austell, once again.
The Sleep Out at the tourist attraction will be staged on November 12 this year with local people being invited to bed down between its two giant biomes.
Money raised will go to the homelessness charities, St Petrocs and the Amber Foundation.
Organisers say this year’s Sleep Out comes at a critical time, with government figures serving as a stark reminder of the worsening homelessness crisis across Cornwall and the South West. These figures show that rough sleeping across the region has climbed by 11 per cent in the past year, with a steep rise among 18-to-25-year-olds.
Last year, more than 80 people took on the Sleep Out challenge, raising over £17,000. Since the Sleep Out began in 2014, the event has raised more than £100,000 and the money has helped thousands of people in the South West with housing and support.
Since the last Sleep Out, St Petrocs has worked with 1,504 people in Cornwall, including providing a place to stay at St Petrocs House for 317, preventing almost 200 from sleeping rough and supporting more than 1,000 through its resource centre and outreach teams.
The Amber Foundation found that among the 18–30-year-olds it supports, 86 per cent developed skills and confidence to live independently, and 82 per cent said their time at Amber changed them for the better.
On November 12, participants will take part in cookery workshops with Eden's chefs to prepare their own dinner, before settling in for an evening of live music, readings and talks from people with direct experience of homelessness. Breakfast is provided the next morning, bringing the Sleep Out to a close.
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Dan James, development director at the Eden Project, said: "We’re proud to be hosting the Sleep Out at the Eden Project once again, in support of the Amber Foundation and St Petrocs, whose work makes a real difference to people in need.
“The Sleep Out is always a memorable and moving evening, and we’d encourage anyone who’d like to take part to register now. Whether you’re joining us for the first time or returning, your support will help these two charities continue their vital work."
Henry Meacock, chief executive of St Petrocs, said: "This has been a significant year for St Petrocs. As we mark 40 years of supporting people experiencing homelessness, we have opened five new properties across Cornwall. This has increased our capacity by 20 people, enabling us to offer 186 people safe, secure accommodation.”
Becky Fry, from the Amber Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be involved in the Sleep Out again. It is always such a special event and raises much-needed funds and awareness of homelessness at a time of year when things get even tougher for those with no choice but to sleep rough.”
People can sign up for the Sleep Out at www.edenproject.com
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