Posted: 10/01/17
Braving the cold at college with the Mansfield Big Snore
Homelessness charity Framework will be holding its annual Mansfield Big Snore sponsored sleep-out at West Nottinghamshire College this March.
The Big Snore is being held at the college's Derby Road campus in March
Volunteers are being asked to spend a single night on Friday 24 March, sleeping in the open air to help support the growing number of homeless people in and around Mansfield.
Homelessness is increasing in Mansfield and the surrounding areas. Mansfield District Council has said it believes 27 people were currently sleeping rough in the town. This number reflects an alarming rise in rough sleeping across the country over the last two years.
The charity, which provides support, accommodation and opportunities to homeless and vulnerable people, is responding to this rise by expanding the work of its Street Outreach Team, whose members work in the early hours of every morning to interact with and help accommodate people who are sleeping rough in the town.
All the money raised at this event will help to pay for this work and will help to take people off the streets – not just for a single night, but for the long-term.
The Big Snore is a fun event in aid of a very serious cause. It will give people a chance to reflect on what it may be like to sleep rough for real, but will also include entertainment from local musicians, fun activities, warm hearty food, and even a ‘Box Factor’ to recognise the most imaginative shelter.
This year’s event will have a Woodland Animals theme, which will be reflected in the entertainment and by participants at the event.
Volunteers will encounter cold and discomfort for one night and have the opportunity to reflect on the difficulties that rough sleepers face. It will be a memorable experience for all but the challenge can never truly reflect the grim and frightening reality of street homelessness.
Framework Events and Community Officer, Abigail Mayfield said: “The Big Snore is a real community event and always has a great atmosphere. We are grateful to all the staff and students at West Nottinghamshire College for making us feel so welcome and have every confidence that this new venue will be fantastic.
“By choosing to give up their creature comforts for just one night, participating in this event will help us to help people who have no choice but to sleep rough. So please, if you are able to, sign up for this year’s Big Snore and sleep out so others don’t have to.”
Principal and chief executive of West Nottinghamshire College, Dame Asha Khemka, said: “We are always keen to support our local communities with fundraising initiatives and awareness raising. Our students think of new and innovative ways of raising cash for those less fortunate than themselves.
“I am humbled that the college can be involved in the Big Snore, aimed at helping the homeless and I know that all staff and students taking part will do their very best to raise the cash for raising awareness of such plights.”
Participants can sign up as individuals or as part of a group at www.frameworkha.org/mansfeldbigsnore. A non-refundable £10 fee is charged for adults; for people aged 5-16 years and for West Nottinghamshire College students the fee is £5. This commitment fee includes hot drinks throughout the night and a free breakfast roll. People under 18 may only take part if accompanied by an adult and a responsible adult must complete the registration of minors using the form online.
All registration fees must be paid no later than 6 March 2017. For any queries, including advice on registering a group of 10 or more, please email fundraising@frameworkha.org or call 0115 970 9553.
