Take part in Cloister sleep out fundraiser for St Martins

Fundraisers will be swapping their beds for the stone cold floor in Norwich Cathedral’s Cloister on Friday 26 January to raise funds for Norwich homelessness charity St Martins.

The charity's sleep out event, named ‘A Night in the Cloister’, is challenging people aged 18 and over to spend the night in the Cathedral's Cloister - from 7.30pm on Friday 26 January until 6.30am on Saturday 27 January - and help support St Martins' vital work.

St Martins help maximise independent living and prevent homelessness in the Norwich community by offering a hand up to the most vulnerable. They provide vital support to those experiencing homelessness with street outreach, emergency and long-term accommodation, support, and development opportunities to improve the lives of people in need.

The event is not intended to replicate being homeless, but to raise awareness of the challenges people sleeping rough face. It will be cold and uncomfortable, much like every night is for people sleeping rough.

Dr Jan Sheldon, St Martins CEO said: “Sleeping rough is a sign of real desperation; a clear indicator that something has gone seriously wrong in a person’s life. People doing this repeatedly suffer both physically and mentally. The sleep out we are organising nowhere near replicates the danger and loneliness of sleeping on the streets – it provides perhaps a small glimpse into the physical discomfort of the lack of a warm bed. We’d like to encourage people to join this event – and if you are unable to sleep out, consider sponsoring those of us who will be taking part. Fundraising helps us to provide more outreach services to those sleeping on the streets, this support saves lives.”

The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock, said: “Norwich Cathedral is pleased to continue its involvement with the important work St Martins does. The Sleep Out not only focuses attention on those experiencing homelessness, but the money raised will help St Martins in making a real difference in many people’s lives."

Pictured above is an image from the Cloister sleep out in 2020.

Picture: Bill Smith