Homelessness charity cancels Big Sleep Out event

Previous Big Sleep Out events have taken part at the Reading Abbey Ruins

A charity that supports people who are homeless or at risk of losing their home has been forced to cancel a fundraising event due to a lack of participation.

Launchpad, in Reading, said only 14 people had signed up to The Big Sleep Out - due to take place on 14 July.

Organisers said it was a "difficult decision to make" and apologised to everyone who registered to take part, but said the event would cost more money than it would raise.

Fundraising manager Fiona Keyte said Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis might have played a part in the drop in interest.

'Reflection of the times'

She said before the pandemic about 150 people had taken part in the event, which would see participants spend one night outside.

Ms Keyte said the charity had expected it to raise about £40,000.

Launchpad, which started as a soup kitchen at University of Reading in 1979, said it would need to find alternative ways to fundraise in a difficult economic climate.

"Event activity in general seems to be down and we're not sure whether it's just a reflection of the times and whether people are unsure about asking others for money, when they know that so many people are struggling," Ms Keyte said.

She confirmed that the charity would still support people to arrange their own Big Sleep Out events in the coming weeks.