Helen’s Fifth Eden Sleep Out for Amber

On Thursday 16th November Helen Bennett from St Marychurch, Torquay will be taking part in the Eden Sleep Out for the 5th time. To date she has raised over £6000 for our work housing and supporting young people facing tough challenges including homelessness, mental ill health and childhood trauma.

Helen, who runs the Business Network in Exeter, has pledged to take part in the event annually.

“I first attended the Eden Sleep Out in 2019 and found it such a special experience. I decided then I would commit to taking part every year until I physically couldn’t anymore. Sleeping on cardboard on a hard floor is not a pleasant experience but it is a humbling one. The evening is also full of inspiring talks and workshops. I especially like speaking to the young people Amber has supported. Many of them have had really tough starts in life but it is amazing to see how, with the right support, they can turn things around. I recommend to everyone I meet that they should take part in the sleep out at least once. This year we have a number of other business network members taking part which is wonderful. I am so looking forward to it.”

2020 was the year of the Covid pandemic, and so like so many events, the Sleep Out went virtual. Helen took part from her daughter’s London garden where she spent the lockdown with her family.

Since then Helen has taken part every year either in person or from London where she travels to regularly.

Becky Fry fundraising manager for Amber in Devon said

“We are so grateful that Helen sleeps out each year even when she can’t make it in person. We are so pleased she will be joining us at Eden this year as we mark the event’s 10th year. The money raised at the sleep out each year is hugely appreciated and spent on providing vital housing, food and personalised support for young people over the winter.”

Helen’s fundraising page is here

Registration in still open for those prepared to take on the challenge of bedding down outside the Biomes. You will be beneath the canopy of the Link building, but have nothing more than a sleeping bag and cardboard for warmth and comfort.

Since the first Eden Sleep Out in 2014, hundreds of participants have slept outside to get a tiny glimpse for what it’s like to ‘sleep rough’ – if only for one night. In that time, they have raised more than £100,000 for Amber and fellow homelessness charity St Petrocs.

Attendees can expect an interesting evening featuring live entertainment and music. They will also hear from those who have benefited from the unwavering support of the two charities.

Eden provides dinner with cookery workshops led by Eden’s team of talented chefs. while unlimited tea and coffee will be available throughout the night. They also provide breakfast the next morning.

Dan James, Eden’s development director, said:

“This is a huge year for the Sleep Out at the Eden Project. We are proud to be able to look back on nine years of fundraising for St Petrocs and Amber.

“Homelessness is a very real problem in the UK, and with the current cost of living crisis, people need our help more than ever.”

If you would like to join the Eden Sleep Out you can sign up here.