People are preparing to sleep rough for a night at the John Smith’s Stadium in Huddersfield on Friday (October 15) to raise money and awareness for homelessness.

The event – a collaboration between The Howarth Foundation and The Huddersfield Giants Community Trust (HGCT) – aims to raise vital funds to support the work both organisations do to help vulnerable children and adults across Kirklees and Leeds.

Rachael Stalley, fundraising manager at The Howarth Foundation, said: “We are delighted to partner with HGCT for The Giant Howarth Sleep Out 2022.

“The Howarth Foundation works primarily with clients that have been homeless or slept on the streets at some time in their lives. This event will give an insight into giving people a one-off experience of what it is like to spend a night outdoors.

“Homelessness is a very complicated issue; it’s not just exclusive to people out on the street, there are various social causes of homelessness which go unnoticed.”

Lisa Darwin, CEO at Huddersfield Giants Community Trust, said: “As the charity of Huddersfield Giants, we aim to make a difference to our community.

“Working with The Howarth Foundation this initiative will help highlight and raise awareness over homelessness alongside other social issues.

“Through the trust we have created schemes with local organisations to support children in poverty, but there is still a long way to go. This event will help contribute further to our delivery to reach more children in and around Kirklees.”

The event will start at 8pm on Friday October 14 with guest speakers sharing their experience of homelessness, before participants begin to bed down for a night in the stand. It will conclude at 7am the following morning.

Individuals taking part were asked to fundraise a minimum of £100, with businesses signing up asked to raise a minimum of £250.

Rachael added: “The funds raised will be split equally between HGCT and The Howarth Foundation so we can continue our life-changing work with some of the most vulnerable young people and adults in our community.”

For more information e-mail rachael@howarthfoundation.org.uk, or call 01274 864 999. To donate go HERE.