Last night people in 52 cities across the globe slept out in all weathers to raise awareness of and money for homelessness.
Conditions in Edinburgh were described as wet and windy, but no doubt those taking part were given a boost by having actor Brian Cox read a bedtime story to them.
With funds raised at previous sleepouts the Social Bite Village was created in Granton and opened in May 2018. There are 20 people housed there in the tiny houses specially built for them as a supported living space.
Brian Cox said: “We can’t accept homelessness in our society, we will not accept it. We must give homeless and vulnerable people more than hope. We must give them a voice. Homelessness doesn’t have to be inevitable in our world. It’s not just something that happens and eradicating it isn’t impossible. The World’s Big Sleep Out started from a small sandwich shop on Rose Street in Edinburgh and now the dream of ending homelessness is being had around the world. Let’s prove that homelessness is not inevitable and that we can end it.”
Josh Littlejohn MBE, The World’s Big Sleep Out founder said “Having worked with homeless people for the last seven years, I know first-hand how invisible and forgotten people can feel. What the incredible 60,000 people who slept out all over the world have done tonight, is to shine the spotlight on this global issue and show that we care. I am truly blown away by the response to our campaign and sincerely grateful to every single person who has given up their beds tonight to raise the funds and awareness needed to make an impact. I hope that what happened in this campaign demonstrates a clear mandate for political action to tackle the homelessness crisis to whoever ends up in government in a few day’s time.”
Dame Louise Casey DBE CB, Chair of The World’s Big Sleep Out Trust said “Just as the world feels, and is, so divided I’m proud that thousands of people have come together across the globe as one community united in our compassion and with empathy for our fellow human beings forced to be homeless. Thank you to everyone who has supported this campaign in any way. I am humbled and grateful. Always humanity is better when we stand together for the common good.”
If you would like TO DONATE, HEAD TO WWW.BIGSLEEPOUT.COM
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
