Pupils at Leigh North Street Primary School win fundraising award

Year 3 pupils at Leigh North Street Primary School in Leigh-on-Sea have won an award for their recent fundraising efforts for HARP.

The pupils raised a staggering £1,672 by sleeping at the school for the night as part of our Really Big South Essex Sleep Out last October. Jo Brown, the teacher at the school who led on the activity said “experiencing a night without their bed and their home comforts was eye opening for them. We are all really proud how they handled the experience and overwhelmed with the amount of sponsor money they raised."

Pupils at Chalkwell Hall Junior School also raised an impressive £1,095 for the annual event that encourages supporters to sleep out so that others do not have to. Collectively, participants raised just under £8,000 for HARP to help us continue to support local homeless people.

Lisa Walton, Community Fundraiser said “It is wonderful to have so many children taking an active role in helping HARP to end rough sleeping in Southend. As well as raising money, participants in The Really Big South Essex Sleep Out have taken a keen interest in the work we do and have learned about many of the challenges that local homeless people face in these harsh times. We are so grateful to everyone who took part, the money raised really helps us to reach out to more people who are fighting to overcome homelessness in and around Southend.”

The Really Big South Essex Sleep Out happens each year in October to coincide with World Homeless Day, if you are part of a school or community group and you would like to host your own sleep out, get in touch today!