⭐ Give up your bed to help local people facing homelessness
⭐ One inspiring night, packed full of entertainment and community spirit
⭐ Experience a small glimpse of the challenges faced by rough sleepers during the harsh winter months
⭐ Make a real difference in our community with your fundraising
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to take part?
The Sponsored Sleepout is a free event. We ask everyone taking part to raise as much in sponsorship as they can. There is also an option to make a separate donation when booking your places.
How old do you have to be to take part?
Children aged under 8 cannot take part. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by a registered participating, over 18-year old adult, who will take full responsibility for their safety and actions throughout the event.
Please note there will be a separate sleeping area for our younger community groups.
Can I fundraise both individually or as a part of a team?
Yes! Upon booking, you’ll be given the option to include a team name. You’ll then be given this link to create a JustGiving page and you can do this as an individual or as part of your team.
All the money raised on your online fundraising page will be sent directly to DENS. There’s no need to do anything else with that.
I have been given a cash donation. What do I do?
If you receive cash donations you can add these as ‘offline donations’ to your JustGiving page. All you need to do then is send us the cheque or pay the cash into our account (fundraising@dens.org.uk for our details) or make a donation of the cash directly on to your own JustGiving page.
My company offers matched funding. Can I use this scheme to increase my fundraising?
Good news! If your company offers match funding, inform them of your fundraising and with your company’s support, you will be able to double your impact. Contact fundraising@dens.org.uk for help with matched funding.
Where will my fundraising go?
Every penny raised through the Sponsored Sleepout will help local people facing homelessness, poverty and social exclusion take the next positive steps in their lives. Find out more about our work by clicking here.
Where is the venue and is parking available?
The Sponsored Sleepout takes place at Hammond Academy, Cambrian Way, Hemel Hempstead HP2 5TD, where there is plenty of parking available at the venue.
What time should I arrive and what happens on the night?
- 8-8.45pm = Sign in
- 30-11pm = Live entertainment and activities
- 10pm = DENS welcome and health & safety briefing
- 11pm = Bed down
- 6am = Breakfast
Usually, we’d ask participants to arrive having had a hearty meal. However, this year, we’re excited to welcome Sweetness Catering, who will be serving a selection of hearty meals in exchange for a small donation to DENS.
What equipment do I need for the Sleepout?
We’ll be spending a lot of the evening completely outdoors. Bring layers and waterproofs to keep warm throughout. For overnight we’d recommend:
- Cardboard, sleeping bag, hat, gloves, thick socks, plus anything that might make your evening more comfortable, such as a pillow or a survival bag to keep the rain off.
Feel free to bring a change of clothes for sleeping, but make sure you’re keeping warm! There won’t be anywhere secure to store your valuables on site so please leave at home or keep on your person. We will not be liable for any lost or stolen items.
What happens if it rains or the weather is bad?
There will be an indoor sleeping area for anybody who wants to come and sleep inside.
What about First Aid and security?
DENS will provide a full health and safety briefing on the night. A trained medical professional will be on standby throughout the night. The event takes place within secure school grounds, and we will also have security staff patrolling the area. In addition, the DENS Fundraising team will be on site and on duty all night.
How can I ask a question that’s not covered here?
Send an email to fundraising@dens.org.uk or call us on 01442 800268, and our friendly team will be happy to help.
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