Hundreds to sleep-out at Stormont to raise awareness of homelessness

Q Newsdesk

Hundreds of people are expected to descend on Belfast later for this year's 'Big Sleep Out' - to raise awareness of homelessness.

It's part of a global movement, with events taking place in around 50 locations including Dublin, New York and Madrid.

The local sleep-out will get underway at Stormont Estate at 5pm.

It'll feature live entertainment and acoustic performances from local musicians including Runabay.

Here's front man John McManus: 

The acts will join charity Depaul for one night with other locations around the world with the aim of raising $50,000,000 to fight global homelessness.

The cross-border charity working in the area of homelessness and homeless prevention is the beneficiary charity and partner of The World’s Big Sleep Out in Northern Ireland.

 Commenting on the acts David Carroll, Chief Executive of Depaul said,

"We are very much looking forward to the 7th of December as it promises to be a great event. We are delighted to have such a talented line-up and to host an evening of stripped back music and acoustic sessions in the Stormont Estate."

"Unfortunately, the number of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Northern Ireland remains extremely high. We need to keep the issue of homelessness very much in the public's mind. "

"We are urging the people of Northern Ireland to get involved by signing up and sleeping out in solidarity with those experiencing homelessness. Your involvement will make a huge difference to people's lives."