This is not your usual Friday night out on the town, but it's for a vital cause:

Collette Ferguson, NW Simon Community

Collette Ferguson of the North West Simon Community is inviting people to brave one night sleeping outdoors in Letterkenny so other people can be saved from real homelessness.

Collette is the Development Officer for Donegal’s branch of the Simon Community and during her five years with the charity she has carried out crucial work to help Donegal’s homeless community.

“You don’t have to be sleeping on the streets to be homeless,” Collette says, as she explains how homelessness in Donegal is largely hidden but remains a real problem.

The hidden homeless of Donegal are not rough sleepers, but people with no fixed residence that are ‘sofa-surfing’ or relying on the good-will of family and friends.  

To support local people facing homelessness, Collette is inviting the Letterkenny community to join a special event for the cause tomorrow night.

North West Simon Community annual ‘Sleep Out’ will take place tomorrow night Fri, 6th Oct from 9pm at Letterkenny, Market Square.  

Business and individuals from all walks of life will be brave the elements into the early hours of Saturday morning in solidarity for all those who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless in Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo with one aim to help make a difference Simon in their Community. There’s still time to join the sleep out, and you can also show your support via donations.

There will be bucket collections on the night, as well as volunteers taking donations in pubs on the main street. You can donate in person or online here: https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/annual-sleep-out-nw-simon7

North West Simon Community prevented 186 families and individuals from becoming homeless in 2016 and need to continue to provide vital services in order to prevent homelessness throughout Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo.  

The clients of the cause are individuals and families who are staying in emergency or temporary accommodation, on social housing lists or waiting in vain for suitable and affordable accommodation to become available in the private rental sector.  

North West Simon Community explains ‘they are the un-official “hidden homeless” – people with no fixed residence that are ‘sofa-surfing’ or relying on the good-will of family and friends.  

Collette’s aim is to create awareness of the Simon Community to sustain the work and services that helps improve people’s quality of life. Collette sees first-hand the hard work, dedication and commitment of the team and difference they are making in the Community.

If you would like to come along on the night please contact Collette directly on 087 0552478 or E:collette@northwestsimon.ie

Please show your support to Simon in your Community and make a donation to the link below to https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/annual-sleep-out-nw-simon7

If you donate online, make sure to leave your name and write ‘Donegal’ to highlight where the donation is coming from.