First Year pupils fundraising for homelessness charity breaks key milestone

The annual Novi Sleepout raised both awareness and vital funds for Kent’s largest homelessness charity, Porchlight. Including this year’s efforts, the event has now raised over £200,000 for Porchlight over the past fourteen years.

Alongside its important fundraising efforts, the event aimed to foster empathy and understanding by challenging the boys to spend the night in cardboard shelters in the Quad, offering a small insight into the realities faced by those experiencing homelessness.

During the event, Porchlight Coach and Key Worker, Maurice ‘Mossy’ Sturgess, delivered a powerful and deeply personal talk about his early life experiences which led, through no fault of his own, to his own period of homelessness. He shared some of the challenges he faced, and the transformative support he received from Porchlight. A live Q&A session followed, giving the boys the opportunity to engage thoughtfully and gain a greater understanding of homelessness in the UK today.

Reflecting on Porchlight’s longstanding partnership with Tonbridge School, Mossy said: “The reason the fundraising is so important, and why we are so grateful for the support Tonbridge provides us year in, year out, is because it changes people’s lives. I have my own personal experiences of that change and know how powerful it can be.”

Head of Community Action, Juliet Burnett, said “This powerful annual event makes us all reflect on the individual stories behind every person who finds themselves homeless. Mossy talked about moments of kindness, and what a difference they can make. Thank you to all the boys, and those who supported them, for playing a small part in enabling Porchlight to do more to tackle the causes and consequences of poverty and inequality”.

Donations can still be made here.