Hong Kong’s Big Sleep Out – spend a night under the stars to end homelessness
- Supported by celebrities Helen Mirren and Will Smith, the global challenge aims to raise funds and awareness and increase empathy
- Event to give the city’s homeless people a second chance and get them off the streets
Amid the current turmoil, we all need something to look forward to, so how about marking your calender with a night under the stars? Hong Kong’s first Big Sleep Out is part of a global initiative to raise money for the homeless.
Beneath the Observation Wheel on the Central Harbourfront, participants will watch music performances and video messages beamed in from celebrity supporters Helen Mirren and Will Smith, joining with 50,000 other sleepers at hundreds of events across the planet.
Official figures show there are 1,127 registered street sleepers in the city, not counting those who live in cramped accommodation, such as “coffin homes”, but charities believe the actual number is much higher.
“It’s not going to be an event where we go out there and start crying,” Rotmeyer says. “We’re going to come together as a community and have some good conversations and fun. And, at the core, see how we as a community can continue getting stronger to better support the homeless.
“The more funds we have the more lives we can save.”
The Big Sleep Out will take place on December 7. Places cost US$20 per person. To register, visit bigsleepout.com.