The BIG Sleepout is back in Chichester tonight
The annual event is raising awareness around the reality of homelessness
The Big Sleepout is back at Chichester Cathedral tonight helping to raise funds and awareness for vulnerable and homeless people in the community.
This is the flagship fundraising event for the homeless charity Stonepillow and they are aiming to raise £25,000.
Stonepillow was founded in 1989 by the congregation of St Richard’s Catholic Church in Cawley Road, following the death of a young, homeless man in Chichester.
They aim to prevent people falling in to homelessness and if they do, they work to give people them the support and resources to make a change.
Sophie Rapley from the charity said:
"The aim of the event is not to replicate homelessness but it gets you out of your comfort zone and give you a small insight into the harsh reality of rough sleeping."
"We will have dancing, band and food stalls. Then the grand finale is that everyone will have to make their own shelter using boxes and then they will have to sleep out for the night."
"We are aiming to raise £25,000 which will go towards our support hubs in Chichester and Bognor which are primarily for rough sleeper and their first port of call to get the help they need."
You can find out more about Stonepillow and get support via their website.