Donning their thickest jumpers and sleeping bags, more than 60 people gathered at mhs homes’ Big Sleep Out event on Saturday (18 January), to brace themselves for a cold and damp night sleeping in the car park. 2020 marks the 14th biennial Big Sleep Out that mhs homes has hosted, but this is the first year that one participant joined from another country. Our HR Business Partner Sarah Cole opted to take part from New Zealand, whilst on holiday there.
The Worshipful Mayor of Medway, Councillor Habib Tejan arrived on Saturday evening to support the first few hours of the fundraiser, but ended up taking part in the full event. Also sleeping out were Labour Councillors Vince Maple and Naushabah Khan.
The team spent eight hours under cardboard boxes and tarpaulin sheets to experience what it’s like to be homeless and to raise money and awareness for two homelessness charities; Porchlight and One Big Family – Helping the Homeless.
As Sunday arrived the sleepers described just how eye opening the night was. The stark reality of life on the street had been totally exposed and understood.
"This is the second time I’ve joined mhs homes for their Big Sleep Out. The event is so important to raise awareness of the homeless crisis. Spending the night in near zero degrees with nothing but a cardboard box gave me a small glimpse into the poor conditions and difficulties that homeless people face on a daily basis. It really does make you feel vulnerable" - Christeena Stubbs, who took part in the night.
There are 280,000 people recorded as homeless in England, according to a report from Shelter, published in December 2019. That includes 22,850 people in the South East.
All of the money raised through the mhs homes Big Sleep Out will be split equally between two Kent-based homelessness charities, Porchlight and One Big Family - Helping the Homeless.
Porchlight operates across Kent, supporting people who are homeless or at risk of becoming so. Last year, it worked with more than 7,000 individuals and families.
"Nobody should be homeless, but right now hundreds of people are sleeping rough in Kent and the support of organisations like mhs homes means we can be there for everyone that needs us. We’d like to thank everyone taking part in the Big Sleep Out – not only for raising money that will help save lives, but also for spending the night outside to get a better understanding of the challenges that homeless people face every day" - Porchlight spokesperson Chris Thomas.
One Big Family – Helping the Homeless is based in Medway and runs soup kitchens, provides hot food, drinks, clothing, toiletries and bedding.
"One Big Family are thrilled to have been chosen to receive money from mhs’ Big Sleep Out in 2020 - as a small charity, currently run entirely by passionate volunteers, we rely on the generosity of those in Medway to sustain our work. Our Homeless Emergency Winter Refuge in Chatham is now in it's third year, and the money raised will be used to help finance this facility - over the previous two winters we have provided over 2,000 beds (and ongoing support) to the homeless in Medway, so it is a much needed service" - founder, Elizabeth Shaw.
The event was supported by Travis Perkins, Café Sunlight, Kent Space, T Loughman & Co Ltd and Graftons Store who between them generously donated heaters, lighting, tarpaulin, sleeping bags, cardboard and soup and bread for the sleepers.
"Thank you to everyone that supported our 14th Big Sleep Out, either by joining us on the night, offering supplies like cardboard or pallets or by donating money. It’s vital that we help fundraise for charities such as Porchlight and One Big Family, so they can continue to tackle homelessness and provide support to those that need it most", said Ashley Hook, Chief Executive at mhs homes.
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