'Together we can make a difference': Northampton primary asks other town schools to join them in 'Big Sleep Over' for homeless

You are invited by Abington Vale Primary School to take part in 'A Great Big Sleepover' next week and help to raise money for those who need it most.

Hundreds of children from Abington Vale Primary School are joining forces in their tents at home next week to raise money for a day centre that runs six days a week to feed the homeless.

It comes as the school, which raises money for different charities each year, has seen it's end-of-term fundraisers, including raffles and sports days, cancelled due to the pandemic.

Anna Blake, who is a parent governor at Abington Vale Primary School, said she hopes the sleepovers start a conversation with the children about those who are less fortunate.

She said: "The Hope Centre are really struggling for funds at the moment, obviously because of Covid.

"Normally food, money and clothes would come from businesses and individuals but because everyone out there is struggling it's that much harder for them to get these resources so we thought they would be a nice charity to help."

The aim is on Friday, June 26 children from the school will each being challenged to sleep somewhere not as comfortable as their own bed.

She added: "The children can build a den or camp out in a tent anywhere that is less comfortable than their own bed to give them this idea that not everyone has a nice comfortable bed to go home to on an evening.

"It's a little bit weather dependant - it would be nice if they could make dens and camp out in their garden but failing that a den in their living room would be great."

A Just Giving page has been set up for the children to each submit their sponsorship money and for other schools to donate to if they want to get involved.

Anna added: "We've put the target as £500 but we can change that if children from other schools want to take part or if members of the public want to donate. The more the merrier would be brilliant.

"I'm sure it would be nice for other children at home to get involved in and it will bring up conversations about homelessness and how we can help."

To donate click here or get in touch with the school for more information on [email protected]