The snow in the early hours of Saturday 2nd March was a surprise for those taking part in the 2024 Big Bath Sleep-Out event, run by local homelessness charity Julian House.
Getting snowed in during the fundraising event | Photo © Rachel Avent
The weather made the fundraiser an even bigger challenge for the 98 fundraisers involved.
The heavy snowfall took everyone by surprise, and event organisers had to implement their emergency procedure to make sure the fundraisers sleeping under flimsy tarpaulins, who were taking part in the flagship annual event for Julian House, were safe and made aware of the adverse sudden change in weather.
The emergency shelter, put in place every year in case of bad weather, was soon filling with people who were extremely wet and cold, with 10 people quickly relocated when their shelters collapsed under the weight of the sudden snowfall.
Rachel Avent, event organiser for Julian House said: “The snow really did catch us by surprise and had not been forecasted.
“We quickly realised we had to wake up all 98 participants at around 4.30am to make sure they were aware of the change in weather and to let them know there was alternative shelter available for them.
“Tony from the Alice Park Café, who had stayed all night, quickly opened his doors, lit the fire and made hot drinks.
“It’s not often you find yourself in a park at 4.00am with snow falling like that, but that really is the point of the Sleep-Out: we don’t have to sleep outside every night and can return to our homes and hot showers in the morning.
“This year really did make us more aware than ever of how fortunate we are that we have homes to return to.”
The fundraising total jumped overnight, as people took to their social media with photos of the snow-covered park and makeshift shelters.
Jim, aged 8, said: “I knew it was going to be hard sleeping outside in the cold, but when I realised it was snowing too, I couldn’t believe it.
“My Dad had built a great canopy out of plastic sheets, so we were OK, but I saw some families having to go to the shelter.
Julian House provides life-changing and life-saving support for people who are vulnerable or at-risk across the South West of England.
Their services reach the people who have been forced to live on the edges of society, offering them a route to something better.
At a time when cuts are being announced to local funding, impacting charities like Julian House, it is crucial now more than ever that fundraising events like the Big Bath Sleep-Out are successful in raising money for these vital services.
Donations to the Sleep-Out for Julian House are still invited. You can donate here.
