Caring for Communities and People (CCP), a registered charity that exists to prevent the causes and reduce the effects of homelessness, family breakdown, and exclusion was joined by 80 individuals from Gloucestershire-based organisations sleeping out to raise awareness and funds to support vulnerable families through the cost-of-living-crisis.
The Big Sleep Out took place at Brickhampton Court Golf Complex on Wednesday 25th January with overnight temperatures dropping to 1 degree. Business leaders and colleagues came together from organisations such as i2i Recruitment, GFirst LEP, Hazlewoods, Brace Creative, Turner & Townsend, Gloucester Carpet Outlet, Hooray Recruitment, Harrison Clark Rickerbys, and Forge Motorsport amongst others. The evening was sponsored by Brickhampton Court Golf Complex and Creed who provided the location and a hot meal respectively for those sleeping out, Cosgrove & Drew, Elmrep Office Solutions, Eke Security, and APT.
The professional networking organisation, Circle2Success also helped to bring the community of leaders together as well as taking part in the Big Sleep Out.
During the evening there was an opportunity to hear from guest speakers including David Owen (CEO), GFirst LEP and Director of Economy and Environment at Gloucestershire County Council; Sarah Daly MSc FRGS FRSA (Associate Director (Sustainability)), Turner & Townsend Advisory; Ruth Dooley (Partner), Hazlewoods and Matthew Burke BA (Hons), PGCE, Ad dip Ed, NPQH Headmaster, St Edward’s Cheltenham.
Burke said, ‘it is unfortunate that in 2023 people are still forced to sleep rough and that these events are needed to raise awareness’.
Cordell Ray, CEO at CCP said ‘We are very grateful for the enormous amount of support given to us by the businesses taking part tonight. Sleeping out at this time of the year isn’t an easy challenge, but everyone recognises the privileged position they are in. The money raised will go toward those who are struggling to pay their bills, heat their houses and feed their children.’
CCP are raising £100,000 to set up a cost-of-living crisis fund which will be used to give emergency financial aid and debt relief to families at risk of losing their homes. To date, they have raised over £60,000 with further fundraising still to come in. Donations towards the cost-of-living fund can be made here https://www.ccp.org.uk/donate/big-sleepout-2023 or https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/BigSleepOut2023
Photos from the night can be seen here https://photos.app.goo.gl/aadjK7LzckhqkykM9.
For more information on CCP visit: https://www.ccp.org.uk/
