Despite the freezing temperatures this month, a group of hardy Causeway supporters braved the elements for an outdoor sleep out to help raise money for survivors of modern slavery.
Despite the bitter weather, Causeway's CEO Helen Ball joined staff from Total Training Provision to spend the night in the carpark of Penistone Church Football Club with just a sleeping bag between them and the stars!
Total Training Provision is a Barnsley based organisation who have made Causeway their charity of the year, committing to helping us raise £10,000 towards our modern slavery support services.
The ‘big sleep out’ took saw eight brave volunteers agree to sleep outdoors between 10pm and 6am, in temperatures that fell to below freezing.
Causeway CEO, Helen Ball, who lives in Barnsley, said: “I was worried about taking part in the sleep out initially when I realised how cold it would be, however I was really keen to get involved in a fundraiser and this was too good an opportunity to miss.
It also was an opportunity to meet the staff from Total Training Provision who have been long-standing supporters of Causeway and a brilliant champion of our work.
I went prepared with lots of layers and discovered a wonderfully warm and friendly group of people who really are determined to make a difference. So yes it was cold and uncomfortable sleeping on the ground, but we kept each other going.
I don’t think you can ever fully understand what people who are forced to sleep on the street face unless it happens to you, but the sleepout certainly reminded me how fortunate I am to have a safe place to call home, and made me reflect on why what we do is so important.
I am so very grateful to the team at TTP for all their fundraising efforts and for their commitment to supporting us no matter what. They are fantastic and I can’t say thank you enough for the funds they raised, but also for making me feel so very welcome as part of the sleepout.”
Lisa Hawksby, Managing Director at Total Training Provision, added: “Causeway are Total Training Provision’s Charity of the Year and we have an ambitious plan to raise £10k through a variety of events planned over the next few months to help fund their modern slavery services.
“We wanted to do something that would challenge us, and give us a brief glimpse into the discomfort felt by thousands of people in the UK who are homeless and forced to sleep on the street. We’re aware that many victims of human trafficking also spend time on the street after running away from their abuse, or face homelessness if support isn’t available, so this was our way of finding some solidarity with them, and help raise funds for the services provided by Causeway that aim to improve their lives.
It was certainly an eye-opening experience, but in spite of the cold, we actually managed to have a great time, and it was definitely a good bonding experience for the team. We also managed to raise £1,400 towards our target!”
The next fundraising event held by Total TP in support of Causeway will be a 24-hour karaoke session on January 26, which sounds just as tiring, but a bit warmer!
You can support Total TP by donating to Causeway here
