24 May 2007 - SLEEPOUT 2006 - 480 sleep out at St Albans Abbey - estimated £9,000-£9,500 raised. JOIN US for Sleepout 2007 on Friday 7th December 2007
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- STEVENAGE HAVEN -
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A REMARKABLE £9,000-£9,500 IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE BEEN RAISED BY OUR SUPPORTERS.
Stevenage Haven staff and supporters sleeping out in the grounds of St Albans Abbey
"Just to say as my first experience of the sleep out that it was really cool. There were a group of us from my church and we all really enjoyed it. We didn't sleep much because we enjoyed the refreshments at the Abbey. It is a great way of raising money. I shall definately go next year." Douglas (a young person from St Paul's Church, Letchworth Garden City).
Stevenage Haven was one of four homeless charities whose supporters slept out under the rain (we couldn't see the stars!) at Sleep Out 2006 in the ground of St Albans Abbey on 1st December 2006. Each charity receives the sponsorship money raised by its supporters. 480 people slept out this year including the Mayor of Stevenage, Simon Speller. 58% of those registered were under 18 years old.
On the night estimates of sponsorship money entered on the registration forms amounted to £30,000 across the four charities: Stevenage Haven; The Sanctuary, Hitchin; DENS, Hemel Hempstead; and Open Door, St Albans. This estimate has now grown to £40,000 plus. Sponsorship money, preferably by a cheque made out to Stevenage Haven, together with the sponsorship forms (also required for claiming Gift Aid) can be sent to Ron Cohen, Finance Officer, Stevenage Haven, 5 Ditchmore Lane, Stevenage, SG1 3LJ. If you haven't sponsored anyone and would like to do so after the event then you can sponsor Barbara Howard our Director by writing to the above address and sending a cheque made out to Stevenage Haven.
The aims of the SLEEPOUT were to raise awareness of homelessness, to provide those sleeping out with an experience of what it is like to be homeless, and to raise money for local charities dedicated to helping the homeless. One of the common reflections of many who slept out was how uncomfortable it was to sleep rough, not mentioning getting quite wet due to the heavy rain at about 3am! The night also seemed to last for ever for those of us who couldn't sleep and spent the night listening to the Abbey clock chime every hour! The event really emphasised how difficult it must be sleeping rough every night coupled with having nowhere to call home. All of us were very grateful to be able to return to a comfortable bed.
Money raised by SLEEPOUT will be used for Stevenage Haven's 'Secure and Settled' Project and 'Supported Lodgings' Project. The 'Secure and Settled' Project will allow Stevenage Haven to provide support to ex-residents in their own homes helping them to overcome day to day problems and to sustain their tenancies in the community. The 'Supported Lodgings' Project will pilot the provision of a supported lodgings arrangement for ex-residents of Chris Foster House with householders in Stevenage who have a spare bedroom and who would welcome a lodger into their home.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SUPPORTERS WHO BRAVED THE WEATHER AND SLEPT OUT. ALSO OUR THANKS TO THE DIOCESAN TEAM WHO ORGANISED THE EVENT FOR THE 14TH YEAR RUNNING. WE ARE CURRENTLY HOPING TO HAVE RAISED AROUND £9,000-£9,500 AND WILL KEEP YOU UPDATED WITH PROGRESS.
More pictures may be viewed in the .pdf file below. Pictured below is Stevenage Haven Trustee, Alan Curtis, umbrella at the ready!!
Sleep Out 2006 1st December at St Albans Abbey.pdf
Read more about the 'Secure & Settled' and 'Supported Lodgings' projects.