Highfield’s ‘Big Sleep In’ raises vital funds

Pupils at Highfield Leadership Academy raised hundreds of pounds for a youth work charity by camping out in school for a fundraising sleepover.

Taking part in the annual ‘Bill’s Big Sleep In’ event, pupils raised £400 for Blackpool’s Streetlife charity. The mass sleepover coincided with the charity’s Big Sleep Out event, which raises awareness of the challenges homeless people face in the local community.

The Blackpool-based charity’s fundraiser sees 150 people spend a night outside its emergency night shelter in the town centre. With the help of Highfield pupils, this year’s event raised a record amount for Streetlife.

At the school’s fundraising event, pupils were sponsored to sleep in the school building overnight, armed with their sleeping bags, blankets and cushions.

Before settling down for the night, the young participants took part in entertaining team building exercises and made cake pops from their Kindness Kitchen, which were later sold in school to raise more money for Streetlife.

As darkness began to fall, pupils enjoyed sports activities, such as gymnastics and basketball, in the sports hall, whilst others showcased their creative flair by producing street art with spray paint in the design and technology classrooms.

The group also took time to reflect upon the work of the charity and the challenges facing young people by watching an educational film featuring broadcaster Emma Willis, who spoke with Kaitlyn, a young person supported by Streetlife.

Pupil leaders will continue to raise awareness about Streetlife’s work and encourage their peers to raise funds and donate items to support people accessing their

One of the pupil leaders who took part in the event, Tammy-Lea Cooper, said: “The sad reality is there are lots of hidden homeless teenagers who are sofa surfing because they can’t afford accommodation or are struggling with things like family break-ups. Even though we are young, we can make a difference so that’s what I try to do.”