Harry and Linda are Sleeping Out!

On the night of February 27, 2025, Harry and Linda, for the second year, will be participating in the "Open House Sleep Out 2025" to raise funds for Crawley Open House. This personal challenge is not just about spending a night outdoors; it is an opportunity to experience a fraction of the hardship that countless individuals face every single night.

As we prepare for this event, we are reminded of the urgent need for support in our community. Crawley Open House provides essential services to those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, offering them not just shelter but also hope and a pathway to a better future. The reality is that too many people are left without a safe place to sleep, and it is our responsibility to advocate for their needs.

We are asking for your support in this important cause. Our goal is to raise £1,000 to help Crawley Open House continue their vital work. Every donation, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in the lives of those who are struggling. Together, we can help bring warmth and safety to those who need it most.

Our Story

Why Open House ....

Virgin Atlantic is very proud to support our local residential homeless shelter and Day Centre. Open House is Harry's and my team's chosen charity and we have partnered with Open House since 2022, we have made friends with the extraordinary team, their residents and day guests. We also have have been able to deliver our Heartbeats CPR and defib training, Mental Health First Aid Training and even helped cook meals and gardening, which was so enjoyable. The team have raised funds by the Sleep Out 2023 and also a Foot golf tournament. However what the Open House team achieve here is nothing less than extraordinary and by doing so they save lives every day - literally. It really sparked a motivation to help, knowing homelessness can become a brutal reality for ANYONE.

The Context .....

Homelessness is a heart-breaking reality for many people in Crawley and across West Sussex. The numbers are staggering. Each night, Crawley Open House provides shelter for 55 individuals who would otherwise have nowhere else to go. In the past year alone, their hostel has become a temporary home to 197 residents, with 138 of them previously sleeping rough. And their outreach workers have offered support to those at risk of losing their accommodation or sleeping rough over 3,671 times.

But these numbers only scratch the surface of the issue......

Homelessness can hit ANY OF US - every walk of life, literally. If you found yourself homeless in East Grinstead, Cuckfield, Horsham, Haywards Heath or Horley - as well as Crawley itself - you would likely be referred to Crawley Open House. There is no other residential homeless shelter within a 25-mile radius.

Thank you in advance for your support - and literally every penny of sponsorship helps save lives and livelihoods, close to our hearts, and close to our homes.

THANK YOU and much love

Harry and Linda xx