Students at Warminster School have slept beneath the stars to raise money for homeless charity EveryYouth.
On Saturday 8th March the Big Sleep Out challenged the young people to forgo their beds for one night and sleep outdoors on the school grounds.
The experience was designed to foster empathy and understanding of the hardships faced by homeless youth, while also encouraging students to reflect on the comforts they often take for granted.
After a chilly but eye-opening night, participants were rewarded with plenty of hot chocolate and bacon butties for breakfast, a well-earned treat after their efforts.
Niamh, a sixth-form pupil, came up with the idea for the fundraiser.
She said, “I was keen on raising both awareness and funds for such an important charity aiding an issue so prominent for teenagers nowadays.
“We wanted to create both a fun but reflective experience for pupils here at Warminster. The money raised from our sleepout will go towards helping people our age who find themselves in less fortunate situations.”
EveryYouth is a coalition of the UK’s leading youth homelessness charities and aims to raise awareness and funds for the estimated 129,000 young people facing homelessness across the country.
Donations are still coming in from Warminster School’s Sleep Out, with the current fundraiser total standing at £2,000.
Nicolas Connolly CEO and founder of EveryYouth, said, “On behalf of all at EveryYouth, we thank Warminster School for sleeping out in support of young people facing homelessness.
“While Sleep Out does not aim to replicate the experience of homelessness, it raises important awareness of this important issue. Last year, a young person faced homelessness every four minutes. With the support of schools like Warminster, we can continue helping vulnerable young people overcome the challenges of their childhood and go on to thrive.
