£50k raised for charity as hundreds join Big PNE Sleep Out at Deepdale
More than 200 people bedded down at Deepdale to raise more than £50,000 to help tackle rising female homelessness in Preston.
Temperatures plummeted in the early hours of Saturday morning as participants in the Big PNE Sleep Out grabbed their cardboard and rolled out sleeping bags.
Organised by The Foxton, Preston North End Community and Education Trust, Veolia and Blog Preston, the doors of the PNE stadium opened at 7pm for people to start setting up.
Sleeping pitch side on the concourse between the Deepdale turf and the stands there was little cover from the elements as the skies cleared and temperatures dropped – although any threat of rain didn’t materialise.
The total raised of £52,000 (which includes gift aid) has already beaten the 2023 Big PNE Sleep Out – which saw torrential downpours throughout the night and strong winds – and there was also education for those attending about the risks women who sleep rough face.
During a briefing for attendees before everyone settled down for the night, the Foxton – who support vulnerable women in the city – outlined the hidden homelessness often experienced by women in Preston and beyond.
Cardboard for the night was provided by Veolia as they also outlined how they often uncovered people sleeping within bins and refuse areas which can be extremely dangerous.
Donations came in during the night – which will be split between the Foxton and the charitable arm of the football club for preventative work to try and help stop women becoming locked in a cycle of homelessness – and is continuing to grow via the Justgiving page.
Proud Preston pulls together
Gordon Humphreys of Foster – a long-standing Preston business – raised more than £4,000 towards the Sleep Out.
He said: “I’ve got three daughters, three granddaughters, with this year being women and girls I felt I needed to do something to support this cause.
“I’ve met tonight two of the women who the Foxton work with and heard what impact that support has so I know what a difference this money will make.”