Salisbury School Hosts ‘Little BIG Sleep’ to Support ALABARÉ
Pupils and staff at St Joseph’s Catholic School in Laverstock have taken part in their very own version of our well‑known fundraiser.
Pupils and staff at Salisbury’s St Joseph’s Catholic School have held their very own Little BIG Sleep, a school-based version of ALABARÉ’s well‑known fundraising event.
The school has been supporting us for many years, getting involved in other BIG Sleep events, and wanted to ensure students pupils could still raise awareness, and vital funds, for people at risk of homelessness in the community.
A total of 29 pupils and 4 staff braved the cold on Friday (13 March), with temperatures dropping to 1°C, to experience a taste of what sleeping rough might feel like.
The evening began with a prayer, thanking God for the opportunity to make a difference, followed by a talk from ALABARÉ Wellbeing Lead for Young People, Gemma Snell, who spoke about the impact the school’s fundraising efforts would have on those in need.
The atmosphere throughout the school was full of excitement, purpose, and high energy, as pupils prepared for a night outdoors.
Deputy Headteacher at St Joseph’s Catholic School, Richard Rooney, explained the school’s motivation for creating the event:
“When we heard that the BIG Sleep wasn’t going to happen in the Cathedral this March, we decided that we would run it for our pupils at school. We wanted to make sure that the pupils still had the opportunity to raise awareness and funds for the homeless in our community, and hosting the Little BIG Sleep here ensured that they could do just that.
“They had a great experience, made lots of memories but perhaps, more importantly, have gained an insight into what sleeping rough would be like, which will hopefully inspire them to continue to make a difference and work for the needs of the most vulnerable in our society. We are very proud of all of them!”
Fundraising for the event has been strong, with the school raising over £1,000 so far. Initiatives included:
- a non‑uniform day,
- a highly successful bake sale,
- and sponsorship from friends and family of the participants.
Proceeds from all of the school’s events will go directly to ALABARÉ, supporting our mission to break the cycle of homelessness across the South West region.
The school praised the pupils for their compassion, resilience, and commitment to social justice, noting that the Little BIG Sleep has not only raised funds but also deepened understanding of the challenges many people in the community face every day.
We want to pass on our thanks to the St Joseph’s community for their ongoing dedication and support for ALABARÉ.
You can continue to donate to their JustGiving page by clicking the button below:
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