Porchlight sleepout 2019

https://www.porchlight.org.uk/about-the-rotary-sleep-out-2019

Sarah Finnis, current President of Herne Bay Rotary Club took part in a charity sleep out on Saturday, 19 October in the grounds of St Edmunds School, Canterbury to help raise awareness for Porchlight and the amazing support they give homeless and vulnerable people.

The Rotary Sleep Out, which is organised by Canterbury Sunrise Rotary Club, aims to put people in the shoes of someone who is homeless for a night. Sarah raised over £1,200 for Porchlight and said:

"It was a tough cold night Saturday I only slept a bit in my cardboard shelter.  It was a humbling experience and I spent the coldest hours of the night reflecting on the fact that this is a harsh reality for far too many people.  

30 committed participants took part amongst a mountain of cardboard.  Fortunately there was not a drop of rain and Porchlight report that overall £20,000 has been raised to date.

Many lives will be transformed because of this Sleep Out.  £20,000 could pay for a rent deposit for 40 people who are moving into their own place after finding their feet in a Porchlight hostel, or 130 days of work by a Rough Sleeper Worker, helping people off the streets and into a safe and stable home, or 4,000 calls to the Porchlight Helpline which is there for people who have nowhere else to turn, and is often the first step for people to start getting their life back on track."

Thanks to everybody that supported the sponsored sleep out and to those who sponsored Sarah directly.