Trinity Winchester is once again hosting Trinity’s Big Sleep Out to raise money for their work with homeless and other vulnerable people. Join them on Friday 15th May 2020 for an eye-opening night taking on the challenge of sleeping outside in the grounds of the Winchester Cathedral.

The evening consists of fundraising, entertainment, building cardboard shelters and enjoying delicious food from local vendors. But from 10pm the challenge is to get some sleep away from any home comforts. Every penny raised in sponsorship will go back into Trinity’s services, offering long-term, positive change, getting people out of homelessness and ready to move onto independent living and into employment.

The eighth Winchester Big Sleep Out is being sponsored by Fyffes. Sam Power from Fyffes says “We’re delighted to be able to support The Big Sleep Out this year – it’s a fantastic initiative. Well done to Trinity Winchester and to all those taking part”

Sue McKenna, Chief Executive of Trinity Winchester, commented “This is our biggest event of the year bringing in people from all over the city for this unique night.  The sleep out is not an experience of homelessness, as we will all return to a warm shower and home the following morning but is an eye-opening way to raise money and awareness for our services. Last year over £42,000 was put back into providing long-term support for vulnerable people, please sign up to help us raise this again.”

The maximum number of participants is 400, with spaces filling up quickly. Registration is open now at trinitywinchester.org.uk/bigsleepout. For more information contact the team on 01962 828636.

Book your place today

This event is not an experience of being homeless. We cannot imagine the realities of sleeping rough every night. We will return to the comfort of our homes the following morning, which is not an option for thousands of people. This event is an interesting way to raise vital funds, whilst having a challenging night.

Key Info

• Venue: Winchester Cathedral
• Time: 18:00 Friday 15th May – 07:00 Saturday 16th May
• Cost: £12 to sleep out / £55 for groups – including a bacon/egg bap next the morning
• Fundraising: £100 sponsorship target
• Children are welcome, recommended age 7+. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult at all times

Over 50 people took part in Trinity’s first Firewalk on Friday 28th February 2020. Local companies including Lane Clark & Peacock, Capsticks, HCC, Fyffes, Elementel, HJS and Hyphen Architect helped raise £11,000 to support the homeless and most vulnerable in Winchester.

Fearless fundraisers were offered the ultimate challenge to walk, 15ft, across hot coals at a temperature over 1000 degrees to support local homeless people.

Sue McKenna, CEO at Trinity Winchester, said: “ We are astounded by the amount raised from our first Firewalking event, it was an exciting, new and a highly visual way to raise funds to support our vital work which will make a huge difference.”

Trinity is a charity providing support to homeless and vulnerable people in Winchester and the surrounding area. The charity operates from a day centre in central Winchester, offering practical and emotional support to help people out of homelessness and ready to move on to independent living and into employment.

The event was hosted by UK Firewalk, one of the UK’s leading firewalking companies. The walkers were trained by Scott Bell (Twice Guinness World Record holder for the greatest distance walked on fire) to walk safely walk across hot coals.

Trinity has planned several fundraising activities for the year ahead, including the biggest upcoming fundraiser for homelessness in Winchester, the Big Sleep Out which will be held in the grounds of the Winchester Cathedral on Friday 15th May 2020. We are hoping to beat last year total raised of £42,000 to support local homeless people. Other events include a cycling event, skydives, abseils, along with our well attended annual Black-Tie Dinner being held on Friday 9th October at the Holiday Inn Winchester.