On Saturday 16th October Stonepillow hosted their annual fundraising event, The Big Sleep Out, within the grounds of Chichester Cathedral.
Stonepillow provide support 365 days a year across Chichester and Arun, supporting and empowering homeless people offering a complete recovery journey focusing on improving health and wellbeing, towards sustainable independence and wellbeing.
During this long-awaited event, participants were challenged to build a shelter for the night out of cardboard. Groups of Scouts, Air Cadets, families and friends worked competitively throughout the afternoon to make sure their shelter would stand out in the crowd. The shelter competition was judged by Shelagh Legrave CBE DL (Chair of Stonepillow Trustees), the High Sheriff of West Sussex, Neil Hart, and Brendon Cook Managing Director of Kiwi Recruitment, declaring the winning place to the Tsunami Explorers.
An Ecumenical Celebration of Life service was led by the Very Reverend Stephen Waine, Dean of Chichester, remembering the Stonepillow clients we have lost over the past year.
“We would like to thank everyone who have contributed to the success of this year’s event, the supporters who slept out to raise funds, the Entertainers who gave their time, the local businesses that donated food and shelter building items and prizes."
Stonepillow spokesperson
So far, The Big Sleep Out has raised nearly £5,000 with donations still coming in. These funds are essential to keep the charity’s existing services running day to day, as well as providing opportunities to open new services urgently needed to support the homeless and vulnerable people in Chichester and Arun. It's not too late to support Stonepillow - click the button below to find out more.