More than 200 people braved a cold, rainy night to sleep rough to help local homeless people off the streets.
They were all taking part in Framework’s Big Sleep Out on Saturday 23rd November at Nottingham Forest’s City Ground.
Participants braved a night in cardboard shelters in return for sponsorship from friends, families and colleagues.
Money raised will help Framework’s Street Outreach Team to help rough sleepers off the street and to address their increasingly complex physical and mental health needs.
Lisa Woodward, from Mansfield, was taking part with her friend, Jenny. She said: “I am passionate about this issue and wanted to do something to help. I work in the prison system and come across people who sleep rough all the time. I also see for myself the great work of Framework’s Street Outreach Team. The level of trust people have in them is phenomenal. The work they do really does make a difference and I wanted to do something to support it.”
Ashley Shaw, of New Basford, was taking part with his sons Preston, 12, and Chase, 9. The school caretaker bedded down for the night in shelter designed by children at Djanogly Northgate School. He said: “I work as a market trader at weekends and so I am up very early in the mornings. As a result I see a lot of homeless people out on the streets. It’s rife. I asked the lads if they wanted to come too and they were well up for it. It’s our way of doing something to help.”
Framework operates a street outreach service in Nottingham and across Nottinghamshire to help people who are sleeping rough. Team members work directly with people on the streets to address the problems they are facing and provide the best possible solutions to their homelessness. Money raised at the Big Sleep Out will support this work.
Framework Chief Executive Andrew Redfern said: “I would like to thank everyone who braved the bad weather and took part in this year’s Big Sleep Out. We’ve not had rain on a sleep out for a very long time and we were absolutely thrilled by how many people turned up to take part. Their commitment to helping local homeless people really means a lot to us and we are lucky indeed to enjoy such tremendous support. The money raised tonight really will help us to change and even save lives on the streets of Nottinghamshire.
“I would also like to thank Nottingham Forest for hosting and supporting the event. The City Ground really is a perfect venue for the Big Sleep Out and the club have again been superb hosts. Their commitment to helping local homeless people has been unwavering over the last couple of years and we are delighted to enjoy their support.”
Photographs by Whitefoot photography