The Homeless Fund: Join big sleepout in Trafalgar Square to help our fight for homeless

Sleep in the park 2017 - where thousands slept outside in a bid to end homelessness

The Standard today calls on its readers to help the capital’s homeless by braving the cold and joining our charity sleepout in Trafalgar Square.

The World’s Big Sleepout, which is being run in London in association with our homeless appeal, will see thousands lying on pavements in sleeping bags and on cardboard boxes in 50 cities from London to Los Angeles, Madrid and New Delhi.

Stars including Will Smith and Oscar-winner Helen Mirren will read their chosen “bedtime stories” to crowds in New York and London.

Every participant will help to raise awareness of rough sleeping and funds to tackle homelessness locally and globally.

Will Smith will read their chosen 'bedtime stories' to crowds in New York and London
Getty Images

Organisers hope to hit a global total of more than £40 million to support charities helping more than one million homeless and displaced people worldwide.

Those who can’t make it to central London can sign up to run a Host Your Own sleepout in their gardens, office car parks or schools.

After performing, Mirren, 74, will sleep in a friend’s back garden.

She has launched her own fundraising page to raise extra money, writing: “[We will] create the world’s largest display of solidarity and support for those experiencing homelessness and displacement.

"Please give generously — your donation will provide long-term help and hope to people who are homeless in your community and around the world. Thank you.”

Helen Mirren
Getty Images

Event founder, Pride of Britain 2019 award winner Josh Littlejohn, said: “To be able to partner with the Evening Standard on The World’s Big Sleepout is so beneficial to our campaign.

"We hope Londoners will get on board and join us in Trafalgar Square on December 7 or host their own sleepout for friends and family. Together we can fight global homelessness.”

Money raised at the London sleepout will be used to help fund on-the-ground charities including Dupaul, Homeless Link and The Connection at St-Martin-In-The-Fields — all of which are London Homeless Collective members.

Throughout the sleepout, even at 3am, a handful of The Collection’s homeless clients will be selling cappuccinos, teas and snacks to Londoners from a professional cart on the edge of the square.

Coffee fan Paul, 55, is a former accountant. He had worked more than 20 years in the profession but after a divorce and losing his job, he also lost his flat and found himself in a hostel.

He finds projects provided by The Connection helpful while looking for an accountancy role. He said: “Every day I try to be positive and try to do what I can to get another job.”

In the coming months we will show how the money raised is being spent as part of our appeal objectives.

Homelessness in London
Jeremy Selwyn

Chief executive of The Connection, Pam Orchard, said: “The World’s Big Sleepout is a huge event going on right on our doorstep, and it provides a really brilliant opportunity for some of our clients to be involved.”

The event will run from 5pm on Saturday, December 7. Sign up here.

This year’s Christmas campaign is for The Homeless Fund, which will finance desperately needed services. The campaign will highlight the worst instances of homelessness globally, with money raised going to help homeless projects in London.

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