Over 200 people took part in the annual Leeds Big Sleep fundraiser at AMT Headingley on 29th October to raise money for Leeds Rhinos Foundation and St George’s Crypt.
Celebrating its tenth year, the volunteers swapped their home comforts for a night on the terraces at AMT Headingley Stadium and raised thousands of pounds which will go directly to helping vulnerable people in the city who are supported by the two charities.
Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Jamie Jones-Buchanan once again took part and was joined by the club’s Chief Operating Officer Sue Ward, who is also a trustee of Leeds Rhinos Foundation, along with sponsors, including the Caddick Group who brought a team of people to take part and supporters such as Rhinos south stand member, Michael Cunningham, who braved the event on his own and raised over £250.
Before heading to the stands with their sleeping bags, the volunteers got the chance to hear from Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Head of Community Gareth Cook and CEO of St George’s Crypt Chris Fields about the important work each charity does in the city. There was also an auction, a raffle and the ever-popular Rock n Roll bingo which helped raise further funds for the causes.
Gareth Cook commented on the event: “The Leeds Big Sleep is an event I am extremely proud of and one that has become a key date in the calendar for both charities each year. Having taken part for the past 10 years, I have seen first-hand how the event has grown, and I am still amazed every year by the number of people willing to give up a night of comfort to join us and raise vital funds for the work we do.
“St George’s Crypt is an incredible charity to work alongside, and over the last decade we have built a fantastic partnership that I hope will continue for many years to come.
“A huge thank you to everyone who took part this year. We are eternally grateful for your support, as well as to everyone who has donated. Every penny raised helps us to continue our life-changing work across the city, and we couldn’t do it without you. Long may the Leeds Big Sleep continue!”
Earlier this year Leeds Rhinos Foundation were named the Rugby Football League’s Foundation of the Year and they are recognised for the positive social impact they make across Leeds – with wide ranging work covering Rugby League development, health projects that support people with dementia and Parkinson’s, community initiatives that are helping young people get into training and employment, inclusion work that offer people of all abilities the chance to play Rugby League, with Learning Disability, Physical Disability and Wheelchair teams all run by Leeds Rhinos Foundation.
St George’s Crypt are a 96-year-old, award-winning charity based in Leeds, UK, that transforms lives through its Pathway service to break the cycle of homelessness and dependency. Over a year they provide 65,700 hot meals and over 3000 nights accommodation to the homeless in Leeds.
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