31 Mar LITTLE BIG SLEEP OUT NOMINATED FOR HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER AWARD!

The Huddersfield Town Foundation’s Little Big Sleep Out (LBSO) 2019 event has been shortlisted for the Huddersfield Examiner’s Community Project of the Year award.

The event, which saw children from Oak Primary School, Hepworth Junior School and Crow Lane Primary School stay the night at the John Smith’s Stadium, was delivered as part of the Town Foundation’s Premier League Primary Stars programme.

Born from the Big Sleep Out, which returned for the third time in March 2020, the LBSO aimed to educate the children about the issue of homelessness in their local communities.

In the build up to the night, pupils took part in lessons surrounding the topic, as well as learning about the Town Foundation’s work to support local food banks on home match days.

To build on their learning, the pupils subsequently each put together a food parcel or survival kit to donate to local homeless charities – The Huddersfield Welcome Centre and Batley Foodbank.

On the night, the 50+ children in attendance were treated to several fun activities and games. This bought an added social element to the evening, as they were encouraged to engage with people from the other two schools.

The Town Foundation would like to thank every one of its partners that made the event possible, including Approved Foods, GW Price, The Hirsche Foundation, Hirsche Automotive, Big Dog Workwear and BM Packaging Ltd.

In speaking of the nomination, Town Foundation Chief Executive Siobhan Atkinson said:

“We are delighted to have been nominated for this award by the Huddersfield Examiner.

“Homelessness is a major issue, not just locally but nationally, and we felt it was important to educate children about this and give them ideas of how they can help to combat it.

“I would like to reiterate the Town Foundation’s gratitude to everybody who helped make the event a success. Having seen its impact, we are now keen to make it an annual occasion in order to spread the message further.

“We now look forward to the awards evening in September!”

News presenter Nina Hossain and former Examiner journalist Andy Hirst are set to host the awards ceremony, scheduled to take place on Thursday 24 September 2020 at the John Smith’s Stadium.

If you would like to hear more about the Town Foundation’s Premier League Primary Stars program, please contact Ruby Marlow – ruby.marlow@htafcfoundation.com or 07741 671073.

Similarly, any fundraising queries should be directed to Fundraising Coordinator Lisa Bottomley – lisa.bottomley@htafcfoundation.com or 07741 671596.