Clubs working together to help the homeless

The Sleepout to Kit out fund was established in 2022 by the Rotary Clubs of Cannock & Stafford who are working in partnership with Stafford and Cannock League of Hospital Friends charity. The funds provide grants to people who find themselves in hostel style accommodation move into homes of their own. 

 All the participants were provided with a cardboard mat and are welcome to bring along cardboard and plastic sheeting to build a shelter for the night.

Prior to people sleeping out there was a social event held in the main hall at Cannock College with a hot buffet.  Around 100 people were entertained by performances from Stafford School of Dance, Huntington Kickboxing club and Seasons Theatre Group. There was also a charity raffle which raised £700.

Chris Young, Chair of the Organising Group said: “Cannock and Stafford Rotary Clubs are delighted to hold this event again, which builds on two very successful events held in 2022 and 2024. These two events raised over £20,000 which has enabled us to make 41 grants that have been a lifeline for people and helped them move closer to independent living and into accommodation they can call home”.

The event was true collaboration involving the two Rotary clubs working alongside Cannock Soroptimists, the staff and volunteers from Stafford and Cannock league of Hospital Friends and South Staffordshire Collage.

Geoffrey Mackenzie, Senior Vice President of Stafford Rotary Club, said: “It was a privilege to repeat this quite amazing event with our friends from the Rotary Club of Cannock. It was quite humbling to actually ‘Sleep Out’ in our man-made cardboard tents, identifying with those who are homeless in our localities.  

“We are very grateful to Stafford and Cannock league of Friends, Cannock College, and the Soroptimists for their support and to all those who also slept out and sponsored us.  We hope that we will have raised another significant amount which will allow us to make further grants to support people moving into a home of their own.”

Martin Thornley, Chief Executive of Stafford and Cannock League of Friends, said: "We extend our sincere thanks to all those who participated and supported the sleep out event. Their commitment and generosity will make a meaningful difference to the care and services we are able to provide for our community.”

Cannock President Alan Matkin rounded off the evening, saying: “We are very grateful to South Staffordshire College for their tremendous support, without which this event would not have been possible.” He thanked the organisational team for their hard work and finally he thanked all the brave people who were about to start there night sleeping outdoors.   

The clubs plan to hold another joint event in the new Rotary year which starts in July with the aim of raising funds to support our community.