ALABARÉ supporters raise over £100K for homeless veterans through BIG Sleep at St Paul's Cathedral

Supporters of leading homelessness charity ALABARÉ have raised over £100,000 by taking part in the first-ever public sleep-out at St Paul’s Cathedral in London.

120 people bedded down in the gated courtyard gardens of the iconic landmark on Friday night (26 June), just as the red weather warning for extreme high temperatures was coming to an end.

The sleep out acted as a show of solidarity with veterans who find themselves at risk of homelessness, with the money raised going directly into ALABARÉ’s services for former military personnel across the South West and Wales.

In addition to providing homes for veterans in need of support, the charity offers holistic and pastoral care to restore hearts and empower minds, equipping clients with the tools they need to move into independent living with improved mental health, greater confidence, and increased stability.

The BIG Sleep at St Paul’s also coincided with the national Armed Forces Day, adding to the poignancy of the event and the importance of offering a helping hand to those who’ve served the country.

Participants heard stories from veterans who have accessed ALABARÉ support, who spoke powerfully about their experiences of homelessness and how the charity has helped them towards more positive and fulfilling futures.

Latest Government figures suggest more than 7,500 former military personnel are at risk of homelessness, which equates to one in every 400 people who have a forces background.

Mike Nicholls prepares his bed for the night at St Paul's Cathedral (Image: ALABARÉ)

Making Memories to Break the Cycle of Veterans’ Homelessness

Prior to participants bedding down in the cathedral’s gardens, they were treated to a very special concert under the world-famous dome of the Cathedral.

Music from the British Imperial Military Band and the Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir roused the emotions and inspired those taking part, where the heat initially made for uncomfortable sleeping.

Mike Nicholls, Director of Gibraltar-based estate agency business Chestertons, was among those bedding down for the BIG Sleep at St Paul’s and said the experience was tougher than he imagined. “The original challenge was simply to spend a night sleeping outdoors. In reality, it became much more than that. The ground was hard, it was surprisingly warm, the city never really went quiet, we were on the party bus itinerary, bells rang through the night every fifteen minutes and aircraft passed overhead.

"Sleep was difficult enough. But at around 4.30 in the morning, everything changed, and a heavy thunderstorm swept through, with everyone trying to take shelter as best they could.

"It was impossible not to think about people who sleep rough every night. We knew that, after breakfast, we could return to our families or a warm hotel room, dry our clothes and catch up on sleep. People experiencing homelessness don't have that choice. The storm turned what had been a fundraising event into something far more real.

"This is an experience I will never forget. It reminded me how fortunate most of us are simply to have somewhere safe and dry to call home. If the funds raised help even a handful of veterans rebuild their lives, every uncomfortable minute was worthwhile."

Mike has so far raised £14,400 for ALABARÉ and has been surpassed in his fundraising only by one of the charity’s trustees, Richard Winstanley OBE.

The retired Army Colonel not only slept out at the London location, getting limited rest, but also cycled the 95 miles to ALABARÉ’s head office in Salisbury the following day.

He and fellow cyclist Neil Redcliffe completed the journey in under 9 hours, having raised close to £15,500.

Kirsty Scullion, Director of Fundraising at ALABARÉ, said, “The BIG Sleep is always a special experience, and hosting the first-ever event at the incredible St Paul’s Cathedral was no exception. The idea behind the sleep out is to give participants a small glimpse of what life is like for people who have little choice but to sleep on the streets, in cars, outbuildings, parks and other locations that really aren’t suitable for long-term healthy living.

“The conditions on the night made that a brief reality for everyone bedding down, and we’re grateful for their efforts to see the challenge through. The money raised will go straight into helping to break the cycle of veterans’ homelessness and actively changing lives for the better.”

You can continue to support the fundraising efforts for the BIG Sleep at St Paul’s by visiting the dedicated JustGiving site at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/stpaulsbigsleep2026

ALABARÉ thanked St Paul’s Cathedral and the City of London Corporation for allowing the event to take place, as well as sponsors Collyer Bristow and partners GAIL’s, Twinings, and BrocStar for their support.