Three Leeds charities are coming together to raise funds to support some of the city’s most vulnerable people at the 2018 Leeds Big Sleep event at Emerald Headingley Stadium on Thursday November 29.
Staff from Leeds Rhinos Foundation, St George’s Crypt and St Gemma’s Hospice will join key personnel from the city and volunteers in leaving their warm beds behind for a night and sleeping out on the terraces at the home of Leeds Rhinos.
The first sleepout was held at the stadium in 2017, with senior figures from Leeds including the leader of Leeds City Council, Tom Riordan, and former West Yorkshire Police Chief Superintendent Paul Money all taking part. This year, Yorkshire Evening post editor, Hannah Thaxter, will be among the volunteers who will be sleeping under the stars at the stadium to raise money for the three charities.
St Gemma’s Hospice is a Leeds-based charity providing expert care and support for local people with life-limiting illnesses. It is the largest hospice in Yorkshire and one of the largest in the UK and provides free-of-charge care and is open to patients of all beliefs, religions and cultures.
Kerry Jackson, chief executive of St Gemma’s Hospice said: “St Gemma’s is delighted to be partnering with Leeds Rhinos Foundation and St George’s Crypt for the 2018 Big Sleep Out. I will be taking on the challenge of sleeping on the terraces for the night and raising vital funds for all three organisations so that we can each continue to provide much needed support and services to the people of Leeds.”
St George’s Crypt, which runs a homeless shelter and care centre, has been working with homeless and vulnerable people since 1930 and serves almost 750 three-course meals every week to those in need.
Lisa Dyson, from Leeds firm Dyson's Skip Hire, took part in the first Sleepout in Headingley last year on behalf of St George’s Crypt and is busy encouraging her friends and business colleagues to join her in the Leeds Big Sleep this year.
"Leeds will not be a good place for any of us to live in unless we work together to make it a good place for us all to live in."
Leeds Rhinos Foundation was formed in 2005 to work with some of the city’s most disadvantaged people by using the power of sport to inspire positive changes in their lives.
Bob Bowman, chief operating officer at Leeds Rhinos Foundation, said: “Last year we were overwhelmed by the support from some of the city’s most senior figures. Each volunteered their time and braved the elements on a cold evening at Emerald Headingley to raise money and awareness for charity and we hope more will join us again this year.
“We are honoured to be working alongside two fantastic Leeds charities on this event. Each charity does valuable work to support vulnerable people in the city and this fundraising event will help us continue that work.”
Business leaders have a sponsorship target of £1,000 and a limited number of supporters can also enter. For more information on the corporate challenge and how to get involved in the Leeds Big Sleep email cheryl.harrington@stgeorgescrypt.org.uk. Supporters wishing to take part in the Big Sleep are welcome to join and are asked to make a donation of £100 donation to enter, with an option to raise additional funds.
To sign up for this opportunity please register at mydonate.bt.com/events/2018leedsbigsleep