A south London-based charity is holding a sleepover event at AFC Wimbledon’s stadium to raise poverty awareness.
The Dons Local Action Group (DLAG) is hosting its fourth Big Sleep Out at the Cherry Red Records Stadium on 9 November, where sponsored participants will be sleeping overnight.
The event not only aims to combat the crisis of homelessness and poverty, but will also give people the experience of discomfort that some struggle with daily.
Ana Perov, furniture and marketing volunteer, said: “By spending just one night uncomfortably, you really can make a huge difference.”
The fundraising goal for this year is to match last year’s amount of more than £40,000, which would go towards maintenance of DLAG’s work.
To help achieve this, the Big Sleep Out is encouraging groups to sign up, as well as individuals, to foster community involvement and increase participation.
Perov explained that this will create a unique experience because it is unusual to be able to sleep in a stadium with friends, colleagues or family and at the same time be contributing to a good cause.
To ensure participant safety, first aiders and volunteers will be available to assist with any problems, also tea and coffee will be provided throughout the night to keep warmth.
Managers from AFC Wimbledon took part last year and while there could be big names this year too, it is unlikely that players will attend.
Regardless, Dons players have always supported the cause as Josh Kelly and Alistair Smith demonstrated by collecting food donations in Morrison’s.
DLAG will be working in coalition with Faith in Action and Tooting Community Kitchen in the Big Sleep Out to raise money for those charities too.
The charity was formed as a response to Covid-19 with AFC Wimbledon fans to support those struggling, but the demand has never stopped.
Ana said that in August this year the charity received its highest number of new referrals for food.
She added: “There are lots of people who are working, they’re working very hard.
“But unfortunately, the cost of living is so high that sometimes even if you work full time and you are doing everything you can, you can’t even cover the basics.”
DLAG relies on donations and fundraisers, like the Big Sleep Out, to be able to cover the costs of the services they provide.
Ana said: “We wish that we didn’t exist, in the sense that you don’t want people to need food banks or need help getting laptops for their kids, because they can afford it.”
Since 2020, it has provided around six million meals, 3,700 laptops and thousands of furniture items and appliances.
To sign up and make a difference in your community, follow this link.
Featured image credit: Ana Perov
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