Everton in the Community will be hosting its annual Goodison Sleepout on Friday 18 November with registration now open.
Since its launch in 2016, the Goodison Sleepout has been helping fund the charity’s efforts to combat youth homelessness and poverty whilst providing supporters the unique and humbling experience of camping under the stars.
A benefactor from the sleepout has been the charity’s Home Is Where The Heart Is programme, which supports young people on the cusp of homelessness through a four-bedroom residential house. The residence, made possible thanks to the fantastic fundraising from the sleepout over the years, provides vulnerable young people with a space to stay as well as tailored support from acquiring qualifications and employment to managing bills and helping rebuild family relationships.
Supporters will gain a sense of what it’s like to sleep rough as they spend the night camped in the stands of the Sir Philip Carter Park end on a cold, breezy November night.
One person who has seen the development of the Goodison Sleepout over the last six years is the charity’s CEO, Sue Gregory, who is hoping the sleepout’s loyal following will inspire others to follow suit and sign up for what will be one of the few remaining opportunities to take part before Everton’s move to its new waterfront home.
“The Goodison Sleepout is a classic example of our community coming together to support the city’s most vulnerable” said Gregory. “Last year’s edition was quite an emotional one with it being our first after the pandemic – to know our supporters haven’t forgotten us, and we can still call upon their remarkable support, was truly overwhelming.
“I have no doubt that this year’s sleepout will be equally emotional, with 2022’s edition marking one of the final times we’ll be able to come together and celebrate this staple EitC event at the Grand Old Lady.”
“As an Evertonian myself, I know all too well the emotion that will come with leaving Goodison Park, but it will also mark the beginnings of the opportunity for us to regenerate a core part of L4 through the Goodison Legacy project. The project will build upon our track record of delivering our life-changing, life-saving services – which to date have been possible thanks to the wonderful support of our fundraisers who’ll know doubt be joining us again for the sixth Goodison Sleepout.”
With temperatures expecting to drop late into the evening, the event is well-known for its welcoming and heart-warming atmosphere with hundreds of fellow supporters all united in raising funds for Everton’s official award-winning charity. Registration costs £20, and we ask supporters to raise as much as possible all of which will be channelled towards the charity’s life-saving services. Click here to sign up.
*Due to anticipated severe weather conditions, the event will be exceptionally challenging, both mentally and physically. Therefore, participants must be aged 16+ and be in appropriate medical and physical condition to take part
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