Published: 9th November 2022
Successful Giant Howarth Sleepout raises over £5000 and still counting!
More than 75 sleepers embarked on The Giant Howarth Sleepout to raise awareness and valuable funds to support vulnerable people in Kirklees and the surrounding areas.
The first ever sleepout took place on Friday 14th October at the John Smiths Stadium in collaboration with The Howarth Foundation.
Funds raised will be split in two, with one half supporting children to attend HGCT’s fit and fed camps, and the other half to provide work packages for vulnerable individuals to make the transition back into employment in conjunction with The Howarth Foundation.
Fundraisers arrived from 8pm on Friday evening entering the Chadwick Lawrence Stand where they bedded down for the night, either in the terraces or the concourse.
The event was opened by HGCT Chief Executive Lisa Darwin and Natalie Wells, General Manager of The Howarth Foundation.
Attendees listened to a harrowing story from Carl, an individual who has unfortunately experienced homelessness. With the support of The Howarth Foundation he is moving forwards in a positive direction.
To pass the time, NCS Changemakers provided light hearted entertainment and games for young children and adults to get involved in.
Participants bedded down for the night using cardboard to make dens and beds. Kind thanks to MPM and The Pink Link for supplying the material.
The whole experience and event is aimed to highlight what it is like to experience a night homelessness.
In the morning fundraisers enjoyed much needed Bacon or Egg sandwiches, kindly prepared and delivered by Cafe 8. A huge thank you to BNI Terriers who kindly sponsored these free of charge.
HGCT and The Howarth Foundation would also like to thank; Howarths Law, Alex Mason, Morrisons Waterloo, HSBC, Glasscraft Decorative, Holroyd Homes (Yorkshire) Ltd, Road Traffic Solutions, KSDL & John Smiths Stadium, Purple Dog Ltd , The Design Bankf or helping make the event such a success.
Andy Howarth, CEO at The Howarth Foundation, said: “I have spoken to a couple of sleepers who expressed just how cold, isolated, and lonely they felt in the early hours of the morning with persistent rainfall, lying on a concrete floor. These are the emotions that people living on the streets face, night after night.”
“Both organisations are hugely grateful to every single company and individual that took part in the sleep out to help us raise £[AMOUNT] that will be split equally between The Howarth Foundation and HGCT.”
Lisa Darwin, CEO at Huddersfield Giants Community Trust, said: “As the charity of Huddersfield Giants, we aim to make a difference to our community.
“This year’s Giant Howarth Sleepout has helped highlight and raise awareness of homelessness alongside other social issues. Through the trust we have created schemes with local organisations to support children in poverty, but there is still a long way to go. The funds raised through this event will help contribute further to our delivery to reach more children in and around Kirklees.
“We are extremely grateful to every business and individual that took part in the event and gave up their time – and warm bed – to help us raise these vital funds.”
Anyone wishing to donate to the event can do so by click HERE
