Northern Ireland's "one big sleep out" launched for the homeless

by Q Radio news

Simon Community NI has launched its One BIG Sleep Out.

Supported by Q Radio, it will be held in the grounds of  the Stormont
Estate on Thursday the 1st of November from 7pm.

It was officially launched this morning to coincide with Homelessness Awareness Day 2018.

Meanwhile, it's claimed Northern Ireland's homelessness problem is out of control.

(Jim Dennison, CEO of the Simon Community, Northern Ireland)

Jim Dennison  CEO of the Simon Community says homelessness has increased by more than a third in the last 5 years - with almost 12 thousand people registered homeless every year...

As part of the big sleep out local people, businesses and groups are being asked to swap their beds for sleeping bags for one night to
raise funds and awareness to help end homelessness in Northern Ireland.

Joanne McCallister, Head of Income Generation at Simon Community says:
“Although One BIG Sleep Out won’t be able to replicate the real emotional and physical
difficulties of truly experiencing homelessness, it will show you some of the realities and it
will challenge you.

Every day, Simon Community ends homelessness for someone in Northern Ireland. But we
can only continue to do this with support. So, we are asking people to sign up for One BIG
Sleep Out, along with their colleagues and friends and help raise the funds needed to help us
continue delivering specialist support to the thousands of people experiencing homelessness
who pass through our doors each year.”

This year’s One BIG Sleep Out is proudly supported by Q Radio, with breakfast presenters
Stephen & Cate taking part on the night.

Stephen Clements says,

“Cate and I both see Homelessness every day and we knew we wanted to do something to
raise awareness and funds for Simon Community and the services they provide to those
without a place to call home. So, as well as taking part in One BIG Sleep Out we want to
make a very special announcement to mark World Homelessness Day.”

Cate Conway added:

“Q Radio is thrilled to announce that we will hold a day long Live Radio Appeal after One BIG
Sleep Out. We will bring Q listeners first-hand accounts of homelessness in Northern Ireland.
Having visited Simon Community services, it will challenge your perceptions on what
homelessness in NI looks like. We are excited to support Northern Ireland’s leading
homelessness charity and hope our listeners will too, by either donating to the appeal or
signing up for One BIG Sleep Out.”

To join Stephen and Cate, sign up for One BIG Sleep Out by visiting
www.simoncommunity.org

Early Bird registration is open until 15 th October for just £20 pp and each person is asked to
raise £65 sponsorship.

On the night participants will enjoy a FREE barbeque and some live entertainment before
bedtime.