Over seventy people set to sleep outside at Eden Project for annual homelessness fundraiser
More than one hundred thousand pounds has been raised for St Petrocs and the Amber Foundation since the event launched back in 2014.
The Eden Project's annual Sleep Out returns today, (November 12), with over seventy people set to spend the night outside to raise money for people facing homelessness.
First held back in 2014, the event is now in its fourteenth year, supporting Cornwall charities St Petrocs and the Amber Foundation.
More than one hundred thousand pounds has been raised for the two charities since the inaugural event.
This year, participants will once again brave the cold and bed down between the biomes overnight, after taking part in cookery workshops, live music and talks from people with experience of homelessness.
The event comes just weeks after the Prime Minister pledged to offer everyone sleeping rough in England a route off the streets by Christmas, backed by government funding.
Eden Project development director Dan James said that pledge doesn't mean the need for events like the Sleep Out goes away.
"We welcome the pledge of the government have given any effort to help people move away from rough sleeping is really, really welcomed," he said.
"But we also know, having spoken to St Petros and Amber Foundation, that homelessness isn't solved by simply providing a bed for the night. You know, people need long-term support, they need stability, they need the opportunities to rebuild their lives.
"People need long-term support, they need stability, they need the opportunity to rebuild their lives."
He added: "I think that's exactly what we're fundraising for tomorrow night: to help St Petrocs and Amber Foundation give people that anchor to let them start to build rebuild their lives after suffering from homelessness."
"Homelessness isn't solved by simply providing a bed for the night"
Mr James said support for the event has been key to its success - with many people coming back to join the event year after year - as well as those taking part for the first time.
"I think the reason why it's been so successful is that first and foremost the two charities do amazing work and I think people value that work and they know it's important," he said.
"And the issue of homelessness, we see it in our everyday lives when we walk along the streets, up and down towns and cities in the southwest. And we all probably know someone who has been impacted by it or feels connected to it."