Time to get cosy in the garden as Wigan charity's sleepover returns

The Brick is calling on people to come together for its second annual Big Back Garden Sleep, which was introduced last year when the pandemic led to the cancellation of its popular sleepout.

Participants can camp out in their back garden, create a den or even sleep in a treehouse on Saturday, March 27 to raise as much money as they can for people in crisis.

It comes as the charity has seen unprecedented demand for its services over the past 12 months, due to the increasing number of Wigan families and individuals facing poverty or financial uncertainty.

There has been a 142 per cent rise in demand for emergency food parcels, 37 per cent being distributed for children and a significant upturn in calls to the helpline looking for support.

During the three national lockdowns, the charity closed its shops in Wigan and Leigh and the majority of its regular fund-raising activities have been cancelled.

So The Brick is calling for the community to come together to help raise £10,000, which will allow it to continue to provide the emergency food parcels and accommodation that are needed now more than ever before.

Louise Green, CEO at The Brick, said: “Over recent years we have held annual sleepouts in Wigan. Last year, we had to cancel the town centre sleepout and held the first Big Back Garden Sleep in April. We were humbled by how quickly the community came together and the £24,000 that was raised has helped The Brick to continue to provide support to the community over the last 12 months.

“This year we want to encourage even more families to join us, to not only raise more money than last year but to have a wonderful night together. Our community has shown incredible support to The Brick over the last 12 months and without their help we simply wouldn’t be able to continue.

“Our team of staff and volunteers will be releasing a host of activities, games and fire pit recipes to make the evening a really special one for all who take part.

“All we ask is that those who join us for the Big Back Garden Sleep simply make a donation via our Just Giving page or raise sponsorship. One food parcel costs £15 and to feed a family of four for a week the cost is £45. So, if everyone who joins us can donate or raise enough to feed a family of four, they will be directly helping to feed people in our community facing poverty.”

To join the Big Back Garden Sleep, people can register their interest on The Brick’s Facebook page to ensure they are notified when new activities are released. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/campaign/thebigbackgardensleep

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