First ever family sleepout to help city’s homeless at Liverpool Cathedral

Two Liverpool charities have come together to realise a dream of a Sleepout in Liverpool Cathedral on Saturday 2nd April 2016. The Whitechapel Centre, Liverpool’s leading homeless charity, and Liverpool Cathedral, who play an important role in the life of the city, hope the  event will engage children and young people in raising money to help put an end to homelessness and to help the Cathedral repair the roof of such an iconic landmark in the city.

The charities wanted to design an event where children and young people can get involved in an exciting and challenging fundraising event, because fundraising events are often more focused towards grown-ups.

Sarah Callan from the Whitechapel Centre said:

“Children and young people regularly show us willingness to do something to help others, so hopefully this is a great chance for the young-uns to show us what they’re made of as well as finding out more about the work that The Whitechapel Centre and Liverpool Cathedral do in our community.

A sleepout gives people the opportunity to find out what it might be like to try and find somewhere to sleep in the city when you no longer have a warm cosy bed to sleep in. Although it doesn’t compare to sleeping outside on the street, it can go some way towards understanding the difficult situation people face when finding themselves homeless.”

Read our recent post about how you can help Liverpool’s homeless

Tina Morris, Fundraising Manager for Liverpool Cathedral, said:

“We’re delighted to be able to put on this event, which is raising funds for both The Whitechapel Centre and Liverpool Cathedral. It’s a safe environment but gives young people the opportunity to understand a little more about homelessness. The cathedral is such a wonderful building but it too needs help to keep the doors open and the roof repaired.”

The Liverpool Cathedral Sleepout will also be great fun. There will be a prize for the best ‘den’ – collect up some cardboard and see what you can build to sleep in. Participants are also asked to turn up in their best pyjamas, with their favourite puzzle.

The event has its very own mascots, Cath and Ed, who are really excited about the Sleepout and have challenged themselves to raise at least £50 each. There will be prizes for the top fundraisers and there is also a competition to design a third character called ‘Ral’ to make-up the sleepout trio (get it? ‘Cath-Ed-Ral? Cathedral?). The winning design will be incorporated into the 2017 event publicity.

The event opens from 7.30pm on Saturday 2nd April with activities until 11.00pm when everyone will bed down for the night. Pack down and home time will be from 6am on the Sunday.

Families are you up for the challenge? Do you know some young people who are chomping at the bit to do something exciting and raise some money for charity? Register now by visiting: www.liverpoolcathedralsleepout.org