This year's Galway Simon Community's annual fundraising event for the homeless is going hybrid.
Taking place on September 30, Sleep Out for Simon will see individuals, friends, families, colleagues, businesses and communities from Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and beyond, giving up their beds for one night to raise awareness and vital funds for those facing homelessness in the west.
This year people have the choice to join one of Galway Simon’s organised Community Sleep Outs taking place across Galway city and county, or to organise their own Sleep Out in a safe place of their choosing - whether a tent in the back garden in Boyle, on a trampoline in Claremorris, in a garden shed in Headford, or in an office car park in Vancouver. By any Sleep Out for Simon events, the Simon Community says volunteers are "guaranteed to come away with a sense of pride at making a difference".
One participant from last year said it was “a great experience with my family raising money for such a good cause, while also getting a greater understanding of homelessness and the fact that it can happen to anyone”.
Karen Golden, CEO of Galway Simon Community, says the organisation is asking for the help of the community so it can continue delivering the support needed to "protect the most vulnerable in our society from the threat of homelessness”.
“The fear and trauma of having nowhere to sleep is a stark reality for some. The families and individuals who we support continue to be under extreme pressure," she says.
Over the last two years the Sleep Outs took place virtually due to Covid-19 and were the most diverse to date. People round the globe participated, from Moycullen, Westport, Castlerea, and as far as Shanghai, with participants from Montessori groups, sports clubs, businesses, and enterprises of all sizes. The vital funds raised helped support more than 800 individuals and families across the west, "a truly phenomenal achievement," Golden says.
"As the rising cost of living and housing crisis impacts on people in our community, everyone's support will make a difference to those living in fear of losing their home."
"Galway Simon looks forward to welcoming participation in this unique event on September 30, be it from your own back garden, or by joining one of our Community Sleep Outs in Galway city and county."
This year Simon has set a target of €100,000 from the Sleep Out for Simon, with 100 per cent of proceeds going directly towards Galway Simon’s Homelessness Prevention Services, including its community support, youth, women and family services. This ensures the charity can safeguard these essential community services and support those in need.
To register for the Sleep Out for Simon today, visit sleepoutforsimon.ie
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