Bolton Wanderers’ annual Sleepout challenge to fight homelessness & poverty is back – here’s how you can help
BOLTON Wanderers is holding its annual Sleepout challenge tomorrow to help fight homelessness and poverty.
The club has invited anyone aged over 18 to sleep pitch side at the Toughsheet Community Stadium.
Any money raised will go towards charities aimed at supporting young and vulnerable people who are at risk of homelessness.
Funds will also help those living in poverty or anyone in need of food or shelter.
Anyone who wants to donate can visit the official JustGiving page here.
Charities involved include Bolton Wanderers in the Community, which helps support children and families experiencing hardship.
Urban Outreach, which helps homeless people into housing, and supported accommodation organisation Backup North West will also benefit.
Emmaus Bolton, which offers a home and work to people from the streets in a community setting, has been included for the first time this year.
Those taking part have been invited to Bolton’s stadium between 8pm and 8am on March 22.
Among the 130 fundraisers sleeping out are club CEO Neil Hart and COO Phil Mason.
The event was launched for the first time last year and saw almost £28,000 raised for charity.
Bolton Wanderers in the Community used their share to expand their ‘warm spaces’ offer, which provides a safe and welcoming environment for members of the community struggling with spiralling energy bills.
Organisers are hoping to smash that figure this year.
Neil Hart, Chief Executive Officer at Bolton Wanderers said: “Though there’s a break in the domestic football schedule this week, there is certainly plenty still going on off the pitch and we are proud to be hosting this great event to support our community.
“We’ve had fantastic backing from local businesses and Wanderers’ supporters who will brave the cold with us to support these special charities who are all carrying out invaluable work in Bolton.
“With close to £10,000 already raised, we’re excited to see how far we can push the total and send our thanks in advance to all those who are able to donate.”
While Phil Mason, CEO of Bolton Wanderers in the Community said: “We are proud to once again be hosting this event with the aim to raise both awareness and funds for the local Bolton charities that do so much good work in our community to support the most vulnerable.
“I encourage as many supporters as possible to take on this unique challenge to do something special for our community here in Bolton.”