Boys’ ‘Sleepout’ breaks fundraising records

The annual Tonbridge School Sleepout, when all first year boys sleep rough in the Quad to raise awareness of homelessness, has once again broken its fundraising records. More than £14,000 has so far been raised, with donations still coming in.  

The event saw 135 Novi (first year) boys – and six hardy members of staff – spending the night in a ‘cardboard city’ to learn more about the factors behind homelessness and to raise funds for Porchlight, a charity which supports homeless and vulnerable young people in Kent.

After building their cardboard shelters, the boys listened to talks from Porchlight staff and gained an understanding of why someone may end up sleeping on the streets. Two people shared their stories via videoed interviews, explaining how challenges in their lives, including relationship breakdowns and prejudice, left them on the street, and how Porchlight has helped them get back on their feet.

The pair also shared their successes, with both now in permanent housing and working towards a much better future.

The reality of the discomfort of sleeping on the street became more real to all those involved as the wind whipped around the temporary cardboard houses all night, and there was a downpour at 3am.  

Tonbridge School’s Community Action Manager Juliet Burnett said: “Our boys finished the night with a better understanding of the desperate reality faced by an increasing number of young people in Kent, who end up rough sleeping and with nowhere to go. Porchlight breaks the cycle, helping young people into safe accommodation, giving support and training, and assisting them to plan a career and a proper future. We are very proud to support this work.

“We hope that all the boys and staff who took part will now have a highly informed attitude and will think about the real person in every rough sleeper.” 

Tonbridge School has raised more than £72,000 for Porchlight over the last seven years. This sum has helped the charity to help fund staff who approach young people on the street, open a dialogue and start helping them.

The school thanks Furniture Village for supplying a vast amount of cardboard, and Countrystyle for removing it for recycling.

There is still time to donate at the school’s fundraising page.