The school are organising a Sleep Rough Fundraiser to raise awareness of homelessness, addiction and to raise funds for the Scottish charity Steps to Hope (SC048273). Pupils and staff are being invited to step out of their comfort zone and take on the challenge which will allow them to gain some perspective on the challenges faced by homeless rough sleepers.

You may have seen the recent media coverage of the ‘Sleep Rough Campaign 8 Weeks in 8 Different Cities’ where Founder and Director of Steps to Hope, Richard Roncero is sleeping on the streets for eight weeks in eight UK cities to raise awareness and funds for the charity. Richard started his campaign on 5th December and has rough-slept in Glasgow, Belfast, Cardiff, Blackpool and Manchester. His next stops are Newcastle, Inverness and his final destination is Dundee where he arrives on 26th January and leaves on 3rd February. His target for fundraising was £20,000 but already he has exceeded £110,000 as the campaign gains momentum and media coverage. The Edinburgh based charity provides an on-street presence by handing out necessities to those in need, signposting people to support groups and pays for temporary shelter for those willing to commit to changing their lifestyle and helps them towards recovery. Over half of the charity’s volunteers are addicts in recovery who understand addiction and homelessness but importantly know how to achieve a new way of life. The Sleep Rough Campaign is to raise funds for a new recovery centre Hope House, a 10-bedroom facility based in West Lothian. Unlike conventional centres, Hope House will offer a unique approach - no funding or benefits will be required for placement and the facility will welcome people from across the UK providing a place to get clean and sober for those seeking recovery from addition. This new facility will allow the charity to transform even more lives.

We are inviting pupils and staff in Junior and Senior Years to take part in the Sleep Rough Fundraiser in age-appropriate ways, with all sponsorship money being raised on a single sponsorship page so we can track our collective total. Participants should use this link to share with friends and family.

This total will be added to Richard’s Sleep Rough Campaign total. We have chosen to take on the challenge on the same weekend that Richard will be sleeping rough on the streets of Dundee as we believe this will have the biggest impact on raising awareness among our school community and the wider community.

Junior Years

The Sleep Rough Evening or the Hardship Hour should take place on Friday 26th or Saturday 27th January 2024.

Pupils in L1-7 are invited to take part in a Sleep Rough Evening at home by sleeping in a tent outside in their garden or in the garden of a friend or family member. Parents or family members may wish to sleep outside with their children to ensure safety. Groups of children may wish to complete the challenge together as a sleepover. Pupils should take photos of their Sleep Rough Evening and ask friends and family for sponsorship via the online HSD collective fundraising page.

Younger pupils or those who do not wish to sleep outside for the evening are invited to complete a Hardship Hour in their garden or another safe outdoor space which would involve wrapping up warm and sitting outside for 1 hour when it gets dark. The Hardship Hour should involve no electronic devices, toys or other entertainment as the idea is that the experience represents some of the challenges faced by those sleeping rough. Pupils should take photos of their Hardship Hour and ask friends and family for sponsorship via the online HSD collective fundraising page.

Senior Years

The Sleep Rough Evening will take place on the same weekend Richard is in Dundee.

Pupils in F1-6 are invited to take part in a Sleep Rough Evening sleeping outside for the evening at Mayfield with no tent, using warm clothes, a sleeping bag, a foam mat and a survival bag.