Help raise funds for drop-in centre
Dozens of people will be sleeping overnight on the streets of Wimbledon to raise much-needed funds for a project which helps rough sleepers in the area.
The "Big Sleep-Out" on Saturday June 25 aims to raise at least £10,000 for the Faith In Action project.
Organisers hope 30 people will be 'sleeping rough' in the gardens of Holy Trinity Church and the Polka Theatre in The Broadway, Wimbledon. Pictured right are those at last year's event.
Those who register to join the Sleep-Out will be offered music, conversation and unlimited hot chocolate and biscuits, followed by breakfast the following morning.
The Faith In Action charity runs a drop-in centre for the homeless and other marginalised people at the Salvation Army Hall in Kingston Road.
It costs £66,000 a year to run the centre, which opens twice a week offering a service including meals, food parcels, clothes, showers and laundry facilities.
Through links with local social services, primary care and mental health services, housing departments, drug and alcohol treatment agencies and voluntary groups like Alcoholics Anonymous it can also offer wider help to people using the centre.
The charity needs 1,100 people to donate £5 per month to cover the entire cost of the two-day drop-in centre. It also welcomes donations of clothing and food, as well as voluntary help.
To make a donation for their "Big Sleep-Out", visit: Faith In Action Sleepover or to register to join the event, email: FaithInAction@wimbledonguild.co.uk.
May 20, 2011