Homeless charity Galway Simon Community has launched their annual Sleep Out for Simon event with a new focus, the homelessness fundraiser is going virtual.
Normally, the Sleep out for Simon would see people spending the night together kipping out on the street to raise money for the Simon Community, but that won’t be possible this year due to COVID-19.
Instead friends, families, colleagues and teammates from Galway and beyond taking part from a distance by pitching a tent in the garden, bedding down on the living room floor, or spending the night under the stars in the office car park.
Whether at home or abroad, Galway Simon is asking people from the West to swap their beds for sleeping bags, and give up their everyday comforts as a mark of solidarity with those facing homelessness and to spend the night fundraising in a unique and powerful way.
Through a virtual connection, participants will share a meaningful experience that aims to generate awareness, empathy and understanding of the struggle of facing homelessness in our community.
For the past four years, Galway Simon’s annual Sleep Out has made a huge impact on their Homelessness Prevention Services throughout the county and this year is set to be no different.
Deirdre Treacy, Fundraising & Communications Manager at Galway Simon Community, explained why they are relying on the community to come together and raise funds for those facing homelessness.
“This is a critical time for our local community. The COVID-19 crisis has had a detrimental impact on the lives of many people in Galway. It has, and will continue to put many people at risk of becoming homeless.
“Our services are stretched more than ever and with the inevitable economic fallout from the crisis looming, we are anticipating an even bigger increase in the demand for our services over the coming months.
The Galway Simon Community’s two charity shops have been closed for months due to the COVID-19 crisis, which has also made it impossible
“That’s why the funds raised through Sleep Out for Simon are more important now than ever,” Deidre explains.
This event is set to take place on Friday, October 2, with 100% of all proceeds going to Galway Simon’s Homelessness Prevention Services here in the West.
“The Sleep Out for Simon is our biggest fundraiser of the year, and is vital in keeping our Homeless Prevention Services running in the West of Ireland.”
image credit: Galway Simon Community
