More than £2,500 has been raised to help combat homelessness in Harrogate after the success of the town's first-ever Big Harrogate Sleepout.
Hosted at Harrogate Rugby Club, the event saw 30 people from local businesses and the community endure a night under the stars to raise awareness and vital funds for the Harrogate Homeless Project.
The donation, which is equivalent to funding someone on the streets with 60 nights’ accommodation, in a warm, comfortable bed at the Harrogate Homeless hostel, will go directly towards maintaining the project’s initiatives including the Springboard Day Centre and the No Second Night Out program.
Local businesses, including Harrogate Spring Water, Belzona, Raworths and Titan Wealth Management participated in the inaugural sleepout, demonstrating the power of local companies to come together for an important cause.
The participants, ranging from managing directors to employees, showed their commitment by sleeping outside, highlighting the reality many face daily.
Richard Cooper, CEO of Harrogate Homeless Project, praised the collective effort:
“We are deeply moved by the community’s response to our first Big Harrogate Sleepout.
"The money raised will directly support our initiatives, from emergency accommodations to hostel services. It's inspiring to see the unity among businesses and residents in addressing this issue.”
Harrogate Spring Water, who spearheaded the initiative, have been working with the Harrogate Homeless Project and Harrogate Rugby Club on this event since the beginning of the year.
Operations director Ian Swann, said:
“This event stands as a powerful reminder that we had a choice to sleepout but there are many people across our town who don’t have that choice.
"Seeing the community come together to make a lasting impact to local people facing homelessness has been fantastic.”
Lily Alexander-Pike, Corporate Social Responsibility Executive at Belzona shared her thoughts on the event.
She said:
“As soon as we heard about the sleepout we knew we wanted to be involved.
"It’s a great opportunity to get a team together and support a local community event. We’ll definitely be back next year and hope to regain our title as Big Harrogate Sleepout quiz champions.”
Richard Cooper added:
“This event has been a great success, and we are able to announce the Big Sleepout date for next year, Thursday 2nd October 2025.
"We are determined to make the next event even bigger and better so that we can do more to help homeless people, rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness.
"Save the date and join us”.
Donations are still being accepted to further support the Harrogate Homeless Project’s ongoing work.
For more information or to make a donation, please visit the Harrogate Homeless Project’s website: https://www.harrogate-homeless-project.org.uk.
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