In continued support of The Foxton Centre, Highgate are proud to be taking part in The Big PNE Sleep Out on Friday 17^th November.

The Foxton Centre are a Preston-based charity, founded as a youth centre in 1969. Since then The Foxton Centre has continued supporting young people, as well as homeless people, street sex workers and others in need within the local community.

From 2021 to 2022, the UK saw a nationwide increase in homelessness of 26%. In Preston, the number of homeless people increased by more than double.

In 2022, The Foxton Centre opened a purpose-developed Emergency Housing Project, providing 14 en-suite rooms for rough sleepers in the city. Since its’ opening in July 2022, there has been a 97% occupancy rate at all times.

In December of the same year, the Foxton Homeless Day Centre was opened, allowing rough sleepers access to a hot meal, a shower and to other support and resources. From the day centre, outreach work is offered to encourage people to engage with support services. In the first month that the Day Centre was opened, they worked with over 145 different individuals.

To continue supporting homeless people and to raise the vital funds needed to do so, The Foxton Centre are hosting ‘The Big PNE Sleep Out’.

The Big PNE Sleep Out will see a group of volunteers spend a night sleeping outside in Preston North End’s stadium, bringing with them only what they can carry and sleeping on the cardboard provided.

Representing Highgate is Bob Sahota (Sales Director) and Jenny Latimer (Head of Alliances & Operations).

“It is so important to raise awareness of homelessness and try to support those that have fallen on hard times. The Foxton Centre have supported the Preston community for over 50 years and to continue their amazing work, we are hoping to raise donations by taking part in The Big PNE Sleep Out,” explains Jenny. “Our Managing Director and some Highgate employees are from the Preston area, and therefore this is a cause close to our hearts.”

Funds raised by the Big PNE Sleep Out in previous years were used to purchase a house which has been converted into two studio flats as part of the Foxton Housing First Accommodation Scheme. The scheme gives people access to work experience and volunteering programmes, allowing them opportunities to learn and grow in ways that would be difficult without the initiative’s help.

If you are able to support this great cause and make a donation, please follow our JustGiving link.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/highgateit-bigsleepoutpne