Jessica Field from Redditch really wanted to make a difference and asked her mum Claire how she could help.
Jess said:
“I wanted to raise money for homeless people this year as I see them sleeping outside when I go to my evening clubs. I feel sad for them and want to help them, I can’t believe some young people won’t be at home safe and warm for Christmas.
My mum said there were charities that did sleep outs for the homeless, so we had a look, and we chose St Basils as they work in the West Midlands, and I was able to do it from home. So, I’m going to be completing the St Basils Big Sleepout on 25th November in a tent in my garden. I’m then planning to sleep out one night every weekend from the sleepout until Christmas as one night doesn’t seem enough when young people are so scared of losing their home.
I am a little nervous about the cold weather and the dark but seeing all the support I already have is making me want to do it even more.”
Jess has set up a Just Giving page, and is hoping to smash her target. Anything you can spare will help boost funds for St Basils in our fight against youth homelessness and encourage Jess that one person really can can make a huge difference.
Barrie Hodge, head of fundraising for St Basils said:
“We are absolutely delighted Jess has chosen to support St Basils by sleeping out from home. It’s not easy, November and December can be very cold months and Jess is truly brave and thoughtful to be undertaking this for us. Sleeping out from home is a great way of raising awareness and vital funds for our young people.”
While Jess is heroically Sleeping out from home on 25th November, 100’s of intrepid people will also be braving the elements and sleeping out at Birmingham’s Millennium Point. Anyone interested in making a difference to young people who are homeless or in fear of homelessness and would like to take part either at Millennium Point or at home should visit The Big Sleepout 2022.
Good luck Jess!