Candid highlights charity's struggles during Covid-19 pandemic ahead of major fundraising event this Friday

It’s no secret that charities have been hit particularly hard by Covid-19, so it’s been a pleasure to give something back and provide PR support to Simon on the Streets in recent weeks, as the charity pulls out all the stops to maintain its vital services during the pandemic.

The longstanding Leeds based charity supports homeless and vulnerable people throughout Leeds, Bradford and Kirklees. Its team of six full time outreach keyworkers provide emotional and practical support and are currently incredibly busy, out on the streets, ensuring the most vulnerable can eat and access accommodation, as well as advising on precautions to reduce the risks of contracting Covid-19.

Here at Candid PR, we have been busy publicising ‘The Little Sleep In’ which will see hundreds of West Yorkshire residents and families camp out in their gardens, this Friday, to raise money for the charity.

‘The Little Sleep In’ starts at 8pm on Friday 1^st May 2020 and anyone wanting to participate can download a fundraising pack from www.littlesleepin.co.uk that contains decorative bunting, instructions for building a tent and guidance on creating a JustGiving page for sponsors. With no minimum fundraising requirement, the event is already attracting families, couples, children and individuals, as well as groups sleeping in together ‘virtually.’

Throughout the evening, participants will be able to share their pictures and stories on Simon on the Streets’ Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages, using the hashtag #LittleSleepIn.

Participants can sleep anywhere in the home, apart from in their own bed. People are encouraged to be creative, so for those that don’t want to camp out, they could even build a den in their lounge to sleep in or spend the night in their garage.

At the start of April, we also publicised the struggles the independent charity faces due to relying solely on fundraising events, as well as supporters and corporate sponsors, to survive. Nearly every upcoming event has been cancelled due to Covid-19, which is having a significant financial impact on the charity.

To make matters worse, it comes at a time when Simon on the Streets is working harder than ever to ensure the most vulnerable people in our society stay healthy and alive in these difficult times. This means explaining why hand hygiene and physical distancing is particularly important, and the charity is also delivering food parcels and water, giving out antibacterial products, offering emotional support and working with homeless people to access emergency accommodation.

Our work has helped to secure high profile TV and radio coverage, as well as more than 20 online and print articles throughout April, which thankfully has resulted in people getting in touch and offering support.

However, the charity still needs more, so anyone wanting to participate in ‘The Little Sleep In’ should dig out that tent and visit www.littlesleepin.co.uk , email admin@simononthestreets.co.uk or call 0113 3452270 now.