STREET SOCCER FOUNDATION TO HOST FIRST EVER SLEEPOUT AT GILLINGHAM FC
The nationally acclaimed charitable organisation, The Street Soccer Foundation, has today announced it is to host its first ever #SLEEPOUT in Kent later this summer, at the home of Gillingham FC, Priestfield Stadium.
The Foundation is calling on all business leaders, community leaders, owner/managers and executives, plus anyone who thinks they can raise a significant amount of money, from across Kent and the South East who want to help fight homelessness & poverty and youth unemployment across the region. The aim is to encourage a coming together of the local business community to help raise money and awareness for sleeping outdoors for one night: raising sponsorship from their business contacts and friends.
CEO & Founder of The Street Soccer Foundation, Keith Mabbutt, said:
“Having discussed it with our good friends at Gillingham FC I’m delighted the Chairman and the team have given us the go-ahead and the support we sought to help us collectively, make a genuine difference to young people’s lives.
We’re asking business leaders across Kent and the South East to give up just one night of comfort. To sleep outdoors at Priestfield Stadium to help others less fortunate.”
The inaugural Street Soccer Sleepout hopes to raise lots of money but Keith stresses it’s as important to raise the awareness of the work the Foundation does to help homeless young people from across the County, including those at risk of becoming homeless.
“Statistically, 1 in 3 homeless young people will attempt suicide and up to half of all homeless young people have no qualifications. For our Sleepout event this summer I’m asking all business leaders, across Kent in particular, to show their leadership and spirit to inspire others. To show compassion to want to support others and experience a night at Priestfield that will make a real difference.”
Kevin Tewis-Allen, Chief Marketing Officer for the Foundation, said:
“Our mission is to create a network of young people who significantly benefit from our development programmes. We want to ensure that young people can find a home to live in, become employable, engage in new communities, become more active and provide our Foundation with real-life case studies that celebrate positive change.”
“I’m giving up my bed for one night in order to help change the lives of some of the homeless young people in and across Kent. Will you?”
The Sleepout is planned to take place on Saturday 30th June at Priestfield Stadium from 8pm and business leaders are encouraged to sign up to take part to swap their suit for a sleeping bag and a Street Soccer survival kit come the night.
To sign up please click this link: Street Soccer Sleepout
Together, Changing Lives through Football.