That's a wrap! The Big Sleep 2026

Over £7,000 was raised at this year’s The Big Sleep event to support guests of the The Bridge Homelessness to Hope charity.

At the annual ‘The Big Sleep’ fundraising event, people were invited to sleep outside for one night to raise money for, and awareness of the challenges experienced by the city’s homeless and rough sleepers. This year, the event was held at the University of Leicester’s Centenary Square overnight from 8pm on Tuesday 17 March to 6am the following morning.

Staff and Volunteers from The Bridge were joined by staff from Heidelberg Materials UK and students from The University of Leicester.

16 people took part in The Big Sleep including a group from Heidelberg, a leading supplier of heavy building materials to the construction industry. In addition to £2,165 raised by The Bridge Homelessness to Hope staff - including £1,086 from volunteer, Clive Henkel - the Heidelberg team raised £1,097.

Jops Hill, Social Value & FAIR Co Ordinator at Heidelberg Materials UK said:

"We’ve supported The Big Sleep for three years now, and every time we walk away with the same quiet reflection, the gratitude of returning to loved ones and the privilege of a safe space. One night outdoors doesn’t compare to the reality of homelessness, but it reminds us why this cause matters. Within Heidelberg Materials, we stay committed to raising awareness and standing with those who deserve not just shelter, but hope.

Our responsibility goes beyond recognising the issue, it’s about using our voice, our people, and our platform to support meaningful change. Hope means dignity, stability, and the chance to rebuild a life with confidence.

By taking part in The Big Sleep, partnering with local organisations, and continuously educating ourselves and others, we’re choosing to be part of the solution. We believe everyone deserves safety, respect, and the opportunity to move from surviving to truly living, and we will keep showing up until that becomes a reality for more people."

Staff from Heidelberg Materials UK settle down for the night at the University of Leicester

There is still time to support The Big Sleep participants by sponsoring the event here.

All funds raised from The Big Sleep will support the vital work of The Bridge Homelessness to Hope including breakfast and lunch services, access to hot showers, clothing and toiletries, washing and drying facilities. Funds raised will also support the roles of three Case Workers, who support guests with a range of needs, such as housing and benefit advice, connecting with a GP or dentist, and accessing mental health and wellbeing support.

A spokesperson for Dupli, a leading supplier of photographic printing equipment, consumables and media, which sponsored this year’s The Big Sleep, said:

"For the fifth straight year, Dupli are pleased to be able to support The Big Sleep 2026 in aid of The Bridge Homelessness to Hope charity. The closest most adults get to sleeping outside is a camping holiday or enjoying the delights of a music festival, but for an estimated 380,000 people, sleeping outdoors is a daily reality. The work that The Bridge Homelessness to Hope continues to carry out in the local community offers the dream of a more hopeful future in the face of what might seem like a never-ending nightmare. Dupli are once more extremely proud to be able to support this amazing work and we encourage you to do the same."

Kean Folley, Case Worker at The Bridge Homelessness to Hope added:

"Spending a night sleeping outside for charity was, for me, an overwhelmingly positive experience. There was a real sense of community, people coming together from different backgrounds, united by a shared purpose. We laughed, talked, and supported each other through the night and it felt really meaningful to be part of something that aimed to raise awareness and funds for such an important cause.

"But it’s important to be clear about what this experience was, and what it wasn’t.

"At no point did I feel unsafe and I knew I could go home the next morning. That changes everything, creating a boundary between the experience and the reality faced by people who are genuinely experiencing homelessness.

"For those who are rough sleeping, sofa surfing, in temporary or unsuitable accommodation, sleeping outside is not a one-off event or a symbolic gesture. It's often accompanied by uncertainty, vulnerability, and long-term hardship. There's no guaranteed safety, no clear end point, and no choice in the matter.

"Our night outside was never intended to replicate that reality, and it couldn’t. Instead, it served as a small window, an opportunity to reflect, to listen, and to better understand the importance of the work being done by charities and organisations supporting people experiencing homelessness.

"What I took away most was not just the experience itself, but a deeper appreciation for the resilience of those who face this every day, and the importance of continuing to support efforts that aim to make a real, lasting difference.

"I’m grateful to have been given the opportunity to be a part of The Big Sleep and even more aware now of how much more there is to be done."