BELVEDERE COLLEGE STUDENTS 34th ANNUAL SLEEP-OUT AND FAST, CHRISTMAS 2017
The 37th Belvedere College ‘Annual Sleep-Out and Fast’ will take place on 22nd – 24th December in two locations; outside the Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublin 2 and at the GPO, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1. As Christmas approaches, for most of us happiness is the dominant mood. However for many on our streets, Christmas
is just another cold day to endure. As more and more cuts are implemented, those who have been invisible even in the boom years remain so. First established in 1983, the ‘Sleep-Out’ comprises a joint group of past & present pupils and teachers sleeping out on the streets of Dublin to raise funds and awareness for a number of charities including the Peter McVerry Trust and Focus Ireland. In 2013, the ‘Annual Sleep-Out and Fast’ successfully raised over €143,000 for these homeless charities and over €1,500,000 since the tradition began. Right now students are busy preparing for an exciting Sleep-Out and they hope to beat last year’s figure. Donations can also be made online at www.sleepoutdublin.ie. In Dublin the number of people living without a roof over their heads continues to rise. Under-funded charities provide the only aid for these people. These people are the most vulnerable in our society, yet little is done to protect them. Homelessness is a sad reality facing hundreds of families today due to repossession and unemployment. Thousands of houses lay empty across the country yet still hundreds live rough in doorways and shop-fronts. Students of the ‘Sleep-Out’ will experience only a fraction of the suffering of Dublin’s homeless, but with the help of the public they will be able to raise enough money so that charities can supply the basic Human Rights to these people that they have been denied. The groups will be based at both locations from 10am on the 22nd of December until 6pm on Christmas Eve 24th December. Students welcome members of the public to help in fundraising efforts and appreciate your support. Please like us on Facebook at
http://www.facebook.com/belvosleepout
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