Young Evertonians raise over £40,000 in junior sleepout at Goodison Park

More than 400 young Evertonians gathered at Goodison Park on Friday night for a truly unforgettable experience as Everton in the Community (EitC) hosted its first—and only—junior Sleepout at the historic ground.

Held in the Sir Philip Carter Park End Stand, the special event gave junior Blues a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the night under the lights at the Grand Old Lady, while raising vital funds to support EitC’s life-changing work across the Liverpool City Region.

With just three home fixtures remaining at Goodison Park, the sleepout offered young fans the chance to create a lasting memory during the stadium’s final season—while making a powerful impact. Collectively, the participants raised over £40,000 in support of the Club’s official charity.

All funds raised will go towards sustaining more than 60 programmes and initiatives delivered by EitC. These initiatives address a wide range of social issues, offering support to tens of thousands of people each year—from mental health and education to employment and poverty alleviation.

The evening was hosted by Blues presenter Sarah Halpin, alongside EitC CEO Sue Gregory, who welcomed the young supporters and their families and spoke of her pride at their remarkable efforts. Entertainment included a performance by singer-songwriter and lifelong Evertonian Ryan Rooney, who led a singalong of his new single ‘Goodison Park’, creating a truly fitting tribute to the occasion.

The event also welcomed members of The 1878s, an Everton fan group, whose support added to the celebratory community spirit of the night.

Reflecting on a special evening, Sue Gregory said:

“What a truly unforgettable night for all involved! We hosted our final-ever Goodison Sleepout for adult supporters last October and that was an extremely emotional evening, but it was extra special to have the young supporters with us at Goodison tonight.

“This is their first and only opportunity to take part in a sleepout at our beloved stadium and I’m so thrilled we were able to give them this extraordinary experience. We also can’t thank them all enough for raising over £40,000 for our charity, their support has been unwavering and will help us to keep delivering our life-saving work.”

EitC also extended its thanks to Club kit supplier Castore, who generously donated more than 600 beanie hats to keep the young participants and their families warm throughout the night.

Though this marks the final chapter of EitC’s Sleepout at Goodison, the charity’s work is far from over. Its mission to serve and uplift the Liverpool City Region continues—and support is still very much needed.

Meanwhile, although the final edition of the charity’s staple fundraising event has come to an end, the work to deliver EitC’s life-changing provision continues.  To donate to the cause, please visit EitC’s Junior Sleepout JustGiving page.