“My name’s Tarinee and thanks for giving me the opportunity to tell you all about my sleep out experience last year for Bromley Homeless during World Homelessness Day. Let me tell you about how it was on the night and what you can expect.

I was keen to participate in the Sleep Out as I wanted to help raise some funds for a charity close to my heart that I believe makes a big difference to my local community.

I grew up in India and often being surrounded by that level of poverty and homelessness, you become very aware that if you had been born one street away, life could have been very different. I’ve been lucky enough to build a life with a warm home surrounded by a lovely family. I think it’s very difficult to see that often through no fault of anyone, often other people are in very different circumstances and taking part in the Sleep Out and raising money was just one way of wanting to help.

Without being too dramatic, the Sleep Out helped me to understand the difference between empathising and sympathising with homeless individuals.

My husband, son and I did the Sleep Out in early October 2022. We were also accompanied by four of my son’s friends (all aged 12) and four of my local mum friends as well. Our family was able to raise £2,810, (£3,402.50 including gift aid) and I must take the opportunity to thank all my sponsors if they are reading [listening to] this – we were so touched by all the support offered by people we knew. It’s really important for us to bring up a child that is also aware of being socially responsible so we made it a bit of a family thing, bringing our friends as well to raise money for a good cause.

Personally, I was surprised at how tough I found the sleep out – it is a challenge and is not as easy as I’d thought it would be.

The evening:

But first let me tell you about the evening because you don’t have to sleep out to join in. I really enjoyed the fun atmosphere including the music and food that was laid on. Tickets were sold for the meal provided by the Tamasha restaurant which was absolutely amazing! I now hold the owners of Tamasha in very high regard. I was able to meet other fundraisers as well as past clients whom shared their tips of their real-life experience on the streets. There was also a raffle with countless prizes supplied by local businesses – I managed to win a hamper full of wonderful toiletries. The event felt like it had a great feeling and I got the impression that people were really happy to be there supporting such a wonderful charity.

Once this had finished, we set ourselves up and I was struck by just how hard it is to get comfortable outside. The light is a real catch 22. You want to be close to the light to feel safe but it’s too bright to fully relax. It took a while for the noise from the Saturday night revellers on the high street to lull and then there was the general ambient noise of traffic etc. I think a fox came sniffing around but the churchyard wasn’t spooky…. no ghosts spotted. But the cold was permeating, as the damp came in. I can recommend warm clothes, warm clothes, warm clothes……the cold can get into your bones and not leave. And yet this was only one night, it’s almost unfathomable, when you live in a world when it isn’t your life, the relentless of it must just be awful.

I felt safe the whole time, there were 25 of us and there were two staff who looked after us all night staying awake and keeping the light and kettle on if we wanted to go in and warm up. Daybreak came and I hadn’t really felt like I had slept at all although my husband seemed to sleep throughout! I felt like I had been hit by a truck with maybe one of the worst hangovers I have ever had and it took a while to recover.

Fundraising tips:

I must provide fundraising tips, because that is what this is for. It’s a real challenge and hardship to sleep out so personalise it, don’t be shy, make sure everyone is aware of why you are doing the Sleep Out. Many people are willing to donate and don’t presume on who might give or might not donate; let them make the choice. You’ll be surprised, there will be people you haven’t spoken to in 5 years that donate because the cause reaches out to them. Explain why you think it is a good cause and what the money will be spent on. Use all your work and social contacts and make full use of any social media outlet. All the funds are gratefully received. I was really pleased to be raising funds for a local charity, because giving back doesn’t just stop with the family, it’s important that we help our local community; it’s an extension of the family.

I’d do it again; I think it is a really good way to remind yourself about the plight of other people. It’s a demanding challenge, I’ve done a marathon for charity and the Sleep Out is possibly harder (though the training is a lot quicker ☺). So, to anyone reading [listening to this] I thoroughly recommend you get involved. You don’t have to sleep out, buy a ticket and come and join the party.”