Having a warm and safe place to sleep is something that many of us take for granted. I’ve had the privilege of never having to worry about where I’ll be sleeping or whether it’ll be safe. No one should have to sleep outdoors, especially in winter. And yet, over the coming months dozens of homeless people in Cambridge and thousands of refugees in Northern France will be forced to face freezing cold and wet conditions. 

The Cambridge Convoy Refugee Group (CamCRAG) in cooperation with Emmaus Cambridge are hosting the ‘Fundraising For Refugees And The Homeless’ event at St Giles’ Church, Castle Hill, Cambridge over the weekend of 10th -11th February 2024. I will be sleeping outside on the 10th of February to fundraise for these amazing organisations and to raise awareness to some of the struggles which many who are homeless or living in refugee camps face.

The event is not meant to replicate the experience, but to help fundraise and spread the work which these organisations are doing. The event highlights the fact that these people all face the same problems, and that they share a common humanity, and that homelessness is not their fault. They may be in this situation because they have lost their job, have family problems, have suffered illness, or because they face imprisonment and torture in their home country. Our message is that it doesn’t matter - everyone deserves help without judgement, wherever and whoever they are.

All of the money raised by sponsors will go towards supporting CamCRAG's activities in Northern France, helping refugees, including through providing aid and volunteers to local NGOs, and towards supporting its charity partner, Emmaus Cambridge, who provide people who have experienced homelessness with a home and meaningful work in a community setting.

If you are able, please consider donating and sponsoring me during this sleepout. Every bit of support helps to provide aid and shelter to people who desperately need it.