Supporters of Children’s charity SAFE@LAST have gathered to announce that the BIG Sleepout event which took place in October last year has surpassed all expectations and raised a much needed £21,000.

Hundreds of supporters slept rough for the night at Parkgate Shopping, Rotherham, in an effort to raise funds and awareness to support the 4000 children and young people in South Yorkshire that run away from home each year.  They were allowed minimum comforts on a night which reached freezing temperatures, and had to sleep with only a sleeping bag, pillow and cardboard box.  They were asked to help raise funds for the charity by asking for sponsorship in return for their night on the tarmac. 

The total raised has now been announced as most of the money has now been sent in from those that took part in the event.

Mark Smith, SAFE@LAST Head of Operations said “This is a fantastic amount raised by all those that took part in the BIG Sleepout last year.  SAFE@LAST receives very little statutory income and is dependent on events like these to continue providing our services.  We also receive money from grant funders but that has very specific requirements of what it can be spent on.  Voluntary income that we raise through events like these can be used to quickly and directly support Children and Young People who are at risk through running away.  It allows us to react in the most appropriate way to a child’s needs making decisions around their safety and wellbeing as oppose to what funding is available.  This could range from allowing us to purchase football boots for a young person who is away from home so they can take part in sports, or at the extreme end, provide a safe place for a young person to spend the night when they have no where else safe to go.  We are truly grateful to all those that supported this event for enabling us to continue helping vulnerable children.”

Supporters of SAFE@LAST announced the total money raised at Parkgate Shopping Rotherham which supports the event by allowing the use of its premises.