The Big Ibrox Sleepout
Sandy Jardine Stand. Image: Matthew Davidson
The previous weekend saw hundreds of people take on the Big Ibrox Sleepout. This event has taken place now for seven consecutive years, with the 2020 event taking place at home, due to Covid restrictions. The event sees volunteers brave the elements in order to experience what it is like to sleep on the streets.
The funds raised are then split equally between Glasgow City Mission and the Rangers Charity Foundation. With Glasgow City Mission using the funds that they receive to contribute to their aim to have a city where no one is sleeping rough.
As for the Rangers Charity Foundation their share goes towards the excellent work that they already do within the community. The Ibrox community hub is an example of this, with it helping young people who have been identified by Job Centre Plus as in need of extra support.
It is thought that there are around 10 people who sleep on the streets of Glasgow every night. This is a much smaller number than what it once was, which pays tribute to the hard work Glasgow City Mission has done. Largely attributed to their Winter Night Shelter, which has been open for over 13 years. As their Winter Project Manager, Elyse said on Friday, “this is still 10 too many.”
The sleepout begins with a quiz, which is swiftly followed by soup and sandwiches. Participants then head pitch side to prepare to bed down for the evening. With volunteers having arrived from 8:30pm, and all activities completed before 10:30pm. From this point onwards, it is then time to attempt to get some sleep until the sleepout finishes at 6am.
Soup and Sandwich at event. Image: Matthew Davidson.
Many volunteers return year on year for this event. Karen Watson, a serial fundraiser for the Rangers Charity Foundation said: “I’ve done a lot of charity challenges and arranged my own events, but the sleepout always gives a different experience as you actually get an insight into what the people you are trying to help are going through. that’s the reason I take part in the sleepout, with this being my 7th consecutive year.”
While it may be called the sleepout, it isn’t often that a good night’s sleep is had. With the elements in the years gone by having given the participants a real taste of what life on the streets would be like.
One important thing to note is the fact, that while the volunteers are exposed to the harsh winter elements, that many of those on the streets deal with each night, it is within a contained and safe environment of the stadium grounds.
For that reason, the event is extremely humbling and provides a stark view of how difficult it must be to go through this night after night. It also makes people appreciate just how privileged they are to have a roof over their heads and a bed to sleep in.