Join Helen Mirren and Will Smith in this international fundraiser as Newport gets involved for the homeless
Take part in the World’s Biggest Sleep Out, in solidarity with the homeless sleeping out in these winter conditions, with Amazing Grace’s event on 7 December in Newport.
The event will take place in Rodney Place. The registration is set at £15 and will also provide access to a personal donation page to raise funds.
The full profits are split with 50% going to Amazing Grace Spaces and the other 50% to international NGOs such as the Malala Fund and UNICEF.
Ashley Johnson, representative for Amazing Grace, said they count on the raised funds to help nurture their projects.
“Some of the projects include making pods, converting shipping containers into affordable accommodation,” Ashley added, “and we have just recently opened a supported accommodation for women that have come out of rehabilitation.”
Amazing Grace Spaces develops temporary spaces to recover, from converted pods (left) to a supported accommodation (right)
While raising funds, attendees can expect some fun. Local artists such as Ollie P and Shantz will be performing, said Ashley, and refreshments and a game room will be available throughout the night.
From neighbouring Cardiff to far-away cities such as Brisbane and Manila, Newport joins dozens of cities in the world in this common effort to raise money for registered charities.
The Sleep Outs began in Scotland in 2017 and is now evolving with the World’s Biggest Sleep Out as the homeless crisis worsens.
The Wallich reported an average of 34 homeless people helped a day in Cardiff and 28 in Newport – this was in July 2019.
With winter settling, worries build up as The Guardian reported a 22% rise in homelessness. At least 78 people died in 2018 and more is to be expected in 2019.
Ashley concluded, “All projects help go towards helping either currently homeless people or people that would be made homeless.”
