Novas launch a Christmas ‘Sleep-In’ to replace their annual Sleep-Out

Novas Sleep In – Novas’ Christmas fundraising campaigns concludes with an annual Sleep-Out on the last Friday before Christmas.

Novas launch a Christmas ‘Sleep-In’ to replace their annual Sleep-Out

In an effort to continue the fundraising spirit of Christmas, Novas are asking people to do the Novas Sleep In this year

In normal years, Novas’ Christmas fundraising campaigns concludes with an annual Sleep-Out on the last Friday before Christmas. However, there is nothing normal about 2020 and this year instead of a large community event, the local homeless charity is asking people to Sleep-In in their own homes and help raise vital funds for frontline homeless services.

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For the last five years, Novas has hosted a sleep-out outside Brown Thomas, which has raised thousands of euros for its Limerick services. Last year, backed by Limerick hurler Will O’Donoghue, Clare hurler and footballer Podge Collins and the Tipperary hurling panel, the organisation ran three simultaneous events in Limerick, Ennis and Thurles and raised more than €64,000. Novas’ Head of Policy and Communications, Dr. Una Burns explains that the Sleep-Out is normally the biggest single fundraising event of the year and the money raised helps our frontline services such as Street Outreach, emergency accommodation and family support. About 50% of all monies raised through fundraising and donations in the year, is made in the six -week period in the run up to Christmas. This is largely through community and public events, all of which have had to be paused during the pandemic.’

In an effort to continue the fundraising spirit of Christmas, Novas are asking people to do the Novas Sleep In. Burns says that safety is the first priority but that there are still plenty of ways to get involved. ‘People can build a fort in their living room with the kids, pitch a tent in their garden, sleep on their balcony or participate with colleagues in the carpark or their workplace. Being a virtual event, people can basically participate from anywhere and for the first time, they can get the kids involved.’

Unfortunately, this year we can’t hold our sleep-out in the normal way, but we’re asking you to sleep-in instead – pitch a tent in the garden, build a fort with the kids in the living room or sleep in the work carpark with colleagues! Further details here: https://t.co/RYJbwyprbz pic.twitter.com/K1GDyaaOm7

— Novas (@novasireland) November 13, 2020

People can register on the website HERE and help raise vital funds’. While the event will be different than the usual collective experience of sleeping on the street together, there are still lots of ways YOU can connect remotely. For those participating, Novas are asking them to share their experiences on the night through social media so everyone can stay connected.

About Novas:

Novas is a voluntary organisation and Approved Housing Body working with families and single adults who are disadvantaged and socially excluded; primarily those who are homeless or at risk of being homeless. We provide a range of services and accommodation for marginalised households throughout Ireland. We offer bespoke, client-centred services, based on empirical evidence of eighhteen years’ experience of working with people who are homeless in Ireland. We believe everyone is entitled to a home.

In 2002, Novas established its first service in Ireland – a temporary supported, low-threshold accommodation service in Limerick. Since then we have grown significantly with more than 30 services in counties Limerick, Clare, Tipperary, Dublin, Cork and Kerry. We support our clients through Housing, Health and Recovery. We recognise the complex issues that cause homelessness and endeavour to offer holistic, long-term solutions.

If you would like to get involved in this event, go HERE