Are you looking for a way to impact our community positively? The Alabaré charity is holding its iconic BIG Sleep event at Berkeley Castle for the first time on Friday, March 22, and you can be a part of it!

The charity hopes that as many people as possible will come and join their flagship sleepout in the grounds of this iconic castle.

By spending a night sleeping out, you can help raise vital funds and awareness for the issue of homelessness.

The funds from the event will be used to support homeless veterans in Bristol and Gloucester, where the charity provides specialised homes and services to assist veterans who may have fallen on hard times in their civilian lives.

The charity has been providing specialist homes for veterans since 2009 to support the sometimes unique and challenging needs of ex-service personnel. Accommodation support includes help with mental wellbeing and support accessing future employment so clients can successfully rebuild and move on to the life they choose.

The BIG Sleep at Berkeley Castle provides the opportunity to learn more about Alabaré's work and hear from some of the people who have benefited from the charity's support across more than 70 homes and services across the South West.

Rebecca Mullen, Alabaré events manager, said: "Our BIG Sleep at Berkeley Castle again promises to be a powerful, reflective and yet humbling experience as you bed down for the night, as others who are homeless do every night. For you, it will be just one night; in the morning, you can return to your warm home and comfortable bed.

"We are acutely aware of the mental and physical health pressures on those who are homeless or on the cusp of homelessness right now, and it is imperative that we can continue to provide this vital support. We rely on the generosity of our fantastic supporters to help us raise the funds we need.

"We are joined by people from all walks of life - from groups of young people from local secondary schools, corporate teams and individuals and their families. In the past, we have welcomed all ages from 14 years to those over 80, who can take real pride in the difference they are making."

Major (Ret'd) Mickey Morrissey, an Alabaré trustee who will be sleeping out on the night, said: "No veteran deserves to be homeless, sleeping out on the streets or elsewhere. We owe them a debt of gratitude, and the least we can do is ensure they have a roof over their heads and somewhere warm for the night."

Alabaré also hopes to hear from local catering companies who can help provide hot breakfasts to all participants early in the morning. So please get in touch with the team if you can.

Alabaré is asking BIG sleepers to pledge to raise at least £250 per person in sponsorship, or £150 for young people. 

If you would like to sign up for the event, please visit alabare.co.uk/events/the-big-sleep-berkeley-castle/