Swans Big Sleep Out raises over £36,000 for Swansea City AFC Foundation and Matthew's House
Swansea City AFC Foundation and Matthew’s House have so far raised over £36,000 through the 2024 Swans Big Sleep Out.
Over 80 participants joined the Foundation for a night sleeping inside the Swansea.com Stadium in support of the Foundation and Matthew’s House in an aim to raise vital funds and awareness of homelessness.
This year’s sleep out was the second hosted by the Foundation, raising over £8,000 more than the year prior.
Head of Foundation Paul France was overwhelmed with the support for the campaign and praised the support from the club.
“To get 84 people here sleeping at the Swansea.com Stadium is incredible,” said France.
“The total we’ve raised is absolutely amazing, it’s really humbling that people choose to donate to this campaign and it will make a massive difference to people around Swansea.
“The atmosphere all through the night has been great, the weather was so much kinder than last year and being inside the stadium has made a massive difference.
“Having the opportunity to sleep inside the stadium, it really connects you with the club and it’s been a wonderful experience.”
Thom Lynch, project manager at Matthew’s House, was delighted to be able to raise funds that will support the organisation to continue tackling homelessness in Swansea and raise awareness of the work they are doing.
“It’s amazing to be inside the stadium and to be partnering again with the Foundation.
“Nights like these don’t just raise amazing funds, but they help to raise awareness and raise the issues and make us all think about it and get involved to see how we can help.
“Every penny helps, it all goes towards the wonderful things that we are doing at Matthew’s House and the wonderful things that the Foundation are doing in the community.”
Swansea City chairman Andy Coleman joined the Foundation for the second year running, taking the opportunity to support the campaign and sleep in the home of the Swans.
Coleman is proud of the work that the Foundation continue to do within the local area and was pleased to see the community come together to support the campaign.
“I couldn’t be more excited, this is one of the brightest moments when we get to see the entire Swansea community come together,” said Coleman.
“Homelessness is a real issue that affects our communities, so to see everyone come out to support the cause is really fantastic.
“It speaks volumes to who we are as a club, this club is the community, this club represents the community.
“I would say the Foundation and every aspect of the club being out there doing good work and tying the community together so that we can take care of each other is the most important mission we have as a club.”
The event was hosted by singer Mal Pope, with club ambassador Lee Trundle also taking part in the sleep out, as well as academy stars Zac Jeanes and Sebastian Dabrowski taking part in a Q&A before helping serve food to participants.
Jeanes was impressed by the funds raised to tackle homelessness in the local area and glad to see his club come together for the cause.
“It’s a really great cause, it’s good to see everyone sleeping here,” said Jeanes.
“It’s not a nice thing to be outside sleeping, it’s cold but it’s for a great cause and there are people out on the streets doing it for real.
“We’ve got people here in the stadium, it’s a great cause, so to raise the money they have is amazing.”
Donations for the campaign remain open until November 30. Click HERE to make a donation.