Swans Big Sleep Out raises over £45,000 in support of Swansea City Foundation and Matthew’s House

The Swans Big Sleep Out has already raised over £45,000 in support of Swansea City AFC Foundation and Matthew’s House, making this year’s event the biggest to date.

Over 100 participants took to the stands of the Swansea.com Stadium despite an amber weather warning to experience a small part of what some people in the local community are going through every day.

The evening was filled with inspiring talks from Swans Foundation and Matthew’s House representatives, before Swansea City Women first-team players Chloe Chivers and Caitlin Williams, along with club ambassador Lee Trundle, served the participants food, kindly donated by Compass.

A performance from the Matthew’s House Choir and the Hullabaloo band provided entertainment and an opportunity for people to come together on an impactful night.

The total raised so far is almost £10,000 more than what was raised from the Swans Big Sleep Out 2024, and this sum will go a tremendous way to supporting both the Foundation and Matthew’s House.

“The Swans Big Sleep Out is the most important night of the year for us,” said Thom Lynch, project leader at Matthew’s House.

“We’re so incredibly thankful for the connections this night brings, the energy and excitement about making a change, about valuing people for who they are, and that’s why it’s such a special event.

“The event and all the traction that it gets is a reminder that homelessness is a real issue in our city; a difficult, complex issue but it does happen. Sometimes people think 'it doesn’t happen where I live', but it does.

“It’s important to be reminded of that, to know how you can help and what’s special about is that we had some people with us who are also homeless, who stood with us for everyone on the streets.”

Becci Roberts, project coordinator at Matthew’s House, sees the need to support those in the local community first hand on a daily basis, so is thankful for the fundraising efforts from everyone involved.

“The Swans Big Sleep Out keeps Matthew’s House running,” added Roberts.

“It makes a difference, not only financially but in terms of encouraging people who really need support at one of the hardest times in their life.”

The Swans Big Sleep Out will also support the Swans Foundation to take 10 street-connected young people to the Street Child World Cup in Mexico next year, and they joined the fundraising efforts by braving the cold night at the stadium also.

“It’s a fantastic initiative for us as a Foundation,” said Tom Williams, head of programmes at Swansea City AFC Foundation.

“Without the support from all the people who attended and all the people who have supported them through donations, it wouldn’t be possible for us to give the people we work with some of the opportunities which we now can.

“I think it’s important for the young people going to the Street Child World Cup to get involved and fundraise themselves. It develops that sense of responsibility and they can see the work that is going on to support them going on this once in a lifetime trip.

“I want to thank all the Swans Big Sleep Out participants for all the work they’ve done, the money they’ve raised, going above and beyond to support the Swans Foundation and Matthew’s House.”

The Swans Big Sleep Out was kindly sponsored by Levy Compass, Prometheus Solar, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea Floats, Peter Lynn and Partners and Specsavers Mumbles, who all contributed to making the event a success.

Members of these organisations also took part in the sleep out, including Robyn Griffiths from University of Wales Trinity Saint David.

“Listening to Thom [Lynch] from Matthew’s House talk about the impact of homelessness in general, and the way in which the money raised from the Sleep Out will go towards helping these people, has been truly inspiring,” said Griffiths.

“It’s hard to put words to the level of hope that can be provided. As a community we can do something to help those people less fortunate than us.”

Those supporters who have been inspired by the efforts of those in the Swans Big Sleep Out can still donate up until Sunday November 30.