Warwickshire County Cricket Club Sport Director and former England cricketer Ashley Giles is set to sleep rough to help combat youth homelessness on 26 April as part of the second Edgbaston Sleepout.
Taking place in the grounds of the legendary cricket venue, Giles will join other fundraisers to help raise funds for St Basils and one other charity that supports those at risk of being homeless in Birmingham or in the wider county of Warwickshire.
Those taking part can help us address this growing situation in Birmingham and Warwickshire.
Ravi Masih
Over thirty volunteers slept rough at the stadium in the first ever Edgbaston Sleepout in 2017, which raised £15,000, but Giles and the Warwickshire CCC community team hope that this year’s event can make an even bigger impact.
“Despite being in the grounds of such a familiar place, sleeping out in the open air at Edgbaston was such an abnormal experience and something that made us all realise the physical and emotional stress that rough sleepers experience on a regular basis,” said Giles.
“However, this event really created a special community spirit amongst us volunteers. Hopefully we can raise even more for St Basils, which can protect more young people and prevent homelessness across the region.”
Warwickshire CCC’s charity, the Edgbaston Foundation is now calling on the civic and business community to join Ashley Giles and help address homelessness by taking part in the Edgbaston Sleepout. Places are limited and everyone taking part will have the opportunity to take part in a special nets session at the indoor centre and have a stadium tour before making their way into the stadium.
Ravi Masih, Head of Community Engagement at Warwickshire CCC, said: “St Basils is our lead charity partner and having seen their fantastic work first hand we believe that we can make a real difference to the lives of young people by working together on educational and fundraising projects.
“Taking part in the Edgbaston Sleepout won’t just raise funds for a great cause, it will also provide a life experience and an understanding of what rough sleepers go through on a regular basis. Those taking part can help us address this growing situation in Birmingham and Warwickshire.”
