INSPIRATIONAL Redditch nine-year-old Jessica Field will be helping the homeless when she competes in the St Basils Big Sleepout from a tent in her garden next Friday, November 25.
Jessica first became eager to help after seeing people sleeping outside when she attended her evening clubs.
She spoke with her mum Claire, who told her about several charities which organised sleepouts for the homeless and they eventually found St Basils.
After completing the big sleepout evening, Jessica plans to sleep outside one night every weekend until Christmas.
She said: “One night doesn’t seem enough when young people are so scared of losing their home.
“I feel sad for them and want to help them.
“I can’t believe some young people won’t be at home safe and warm for Christmas.
“I am a little nervous about the cold weather and the dark but seeing all the support I already have is making me want to do it even more.”
Jessica will be among hundreds of people who will be braving the weather for the sleepout, with many of them staying at Birmingham’s Millenium Point.
St Basils Big Sleepout is the oldest and longest-running event of its kind in the world and will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
The purpose is to raise cash while gaining an understanding of what it could feel like to be homeless.
Every £5 raised by volunteers will home one vulnerable young person for a night.
St Basil’s head of fundraising Barrie Hodge added: “We are absolutely delighted Jess has chosen to support St Basils, it’s not easy as November and December can be very cold months and she is truly brave and thoughtful to be undertaking this for us.
“Sleeping out from home is a great way of raising awareness and vital funds for our young people.”
Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/jessbigsleepout/ to donate.
