The Manchester Sleepout 2016 – stay out all night for a good cause

Walking through Manchester, it’s hard not to pass at least one person who is homeless. The number of people sleeping rough has risen each year since 2010, and according to figures from Homeless Link, last year Manchester saw a 63% rise in the number of rough sleepers compared to the previous year.

It can be difficult to know what to do for the best – whether to give food or money, whether to stop or to carry on – but on Friday 4 November you can make a meaningful contribution – and get a taste of what it’s like being homeless – by taking part in The Manchester Sleepout 2016.

That’s when people spend the night ‘sleeping rough’ in the grounds of Manchester Cathedral and get sponsored for their efforts to raise much needed funds and awareness for The Booth Centre, one of Manchester’s most active homeless charities.

It will be the sixth event of its kind and all you need to do is complete a simple registration form online to take part, pay a small fee, and you are on your way to making a big contribution.

In the past, The Manchester Sleepout has seen individual participants raise well over £200 each, with friends, family and even whole workplaces getting involved in sponsorship efforts.

The Booth Centre recommend setting up your own online fundraising page to get sponsorship through justgiving.com but paper forms are also available if you prefer the good old fashioned way.

The money you raise will be instrumental in supporting hundreds more homeless people in the coming year. Funds provide The Booth Centre with the means of continuing its services which include a café and wellbeing centre which is open 5 days a week with showers and toiletries and services which help to integrate people back into the community.

Participants will be given a start time closer to the event and will have the option of sleeping inside the cathedral or on the grass outside – depending on how brave they are and how kind the weather is!

Simple hot and cold refreshments will be available and Booth Centre staff will be on hand to talk about the work the charity does and offer support. There are no prizes but you will get a certificate!

So why not stay out all night for a good cause and set yourself the challenge of completing The Manchester Sleepout 2016. For more information and registration details, visit The Booth Centre website: http://www.boothcentre.org.uk/manchester-sleepout.html