The Big Snore was a big success!

3 February 2010

Hardy volunteers in Mansfield braved the bitter cold last Friday when they spend a chilly night sleeping out under the stars at The Big Snore to raise funds for Nottinghamshire homeless charity Framework.

Now in its sixth year, The Big Snore, hosted at St Mark’s Church in Mansfield on Friday 29 January 2010, gives local people the chance to experience what it is like to ‘sleep rough’, whilst raising money for Framework services for homeless people in Mansfield.

This year, 50 Big Snore participants gave up their snug duvets and central heating for a night in the grounds of St Mark’s Church, pledging to raise an increadible £9,000 in sponsorship for local homeless and vulnerable people.

Pam Bishop, organiser of The Big Snore says: “The Big Snore began with 2 people sleeping out on the front step of the Church, so it has been heartening for us to see how local support for the event has grown over the last 6 years.

“We have great fun at the event as well as having time to reflect and learn more about the issues around homelessness. We all feel a real sense of achievement in the morning after ‘surviving’ the night and we would love it if more people would like to join us and take part in The Big Snore this year.”

“St Mark’s Church is situated close to Framework’s Sherwood Street Day Centre for homeless people and the organisation’s Winter Night Shelter at Bath Street Methodist Church. Every day, we see local people who do not have a roof over their head using Framework’s services and it is important to us that we do what we can to help Framework make life just that little bit easier for the local people who need support”.

Chris Senior, Head of Fundraising and Communications at Framework, explains why events like The Big Snore are so important to help support Framework’s work with homeless and vulnerable people:

“Money raised by the The Big Snore will be used to fund activities and items for homeless and vulnerable people that cannot be funded any other way - things that many of us might take for granted.

“It could be used to pay travel costs so that a homeless person can visit their family, or for surprising someone with a birthday cake. Alternatively, it may go towards buying someone smart clothes for an all-important job interview. These are all things that help build people’s self-confidence and support them on their journey to independent living.

“The Big Snore has grown year upon year and the commitment shown by the event organisers and participants is truly astounding. We are hugely grateful for the support they show us which enables us to really make a difference to people’s lives.”

Photos of the event can be found here.

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