A group of hardy fundraisers will be swapping the comfort of their beds for the cold streets of Fenland to help raise money for the homeless.
Seven volunteers from Feed Fenland and Wisbech Street supplies will be spending 15 hours on the streets of Wisbech on February 8 in sleeping bags and tents.
Their sacrifice will serve a dual purpose – raising money and to show solidarity with the town’s rough sleepers and other homeless people.
All funds raised will be split equally between Feed Fenland and Wisbech Street Supplies.
According to organisers homelessness is getting worse, and people are relying more than ever on support services like Feed Fenland and Wisbech Street supplies.
As of December 2024, 224 people in Fenland were homeless an increase of 32% compared to 2023.
Nationally, the number of rough sleepers in Great Britain has risen 120% since 2010.
Feed Fenland serves on average 122 meals a night and Street Supplies provided 21 people with sleeping bags or tents in 2024.
“It is an incredibly difficult time for rough sleepers,” said George Broughton, one of the founders of Street Supplies.
“There are so many barriers blocking people from getting off the streets. Even for a bed in a hostel, the rent can be quite expensive. You need all kinds of documentation, including evidence that you’re not a medical risk.
“So every year there are more and more people falling through the cracks, who need food and other supplies just to stay alive.”
On February 8, both groups will come together to raise money and awareness.
Feed Fenland is a soup kitchen serving hot food six nights a week to anyone in need in Wisbech.
Street Supplies is a mutual aid group that distributes sleeping bags, tents, clothes, and other essentials to rough sleepers and people experiencing other forms of homelessness.
A donation of £80 covers the cost of ingredients for one night of food at Feed Fenland; £30 allows Street Supplies to purchase a tent for one rough sleeper; and £4 will pay for a hygiene bundle.
Both groups rely on the support of the local community to continue helping local people in need.
Donations can be made via the Feed Fenland Sleep Out Justgiving page.
To find out more on the charities’ work visit their Facebook pages.