Braving the cold for a good cause

More than R1,1 million has been raised through U-turn Homeless Ministries' bold campaign, “A Night on the Streets,” where Captonians were challenged to give up the comfort of their beds to stand in solidarity with those who don’t have one.

- NAMHLA MONAKALI

On Saturday night 17 May, 30 participants, including staff and clients from BMW Constantia, Carbonardo Energy, Ebet, U-turn board members, and supporters, braved the winter chill outside BMW in Claremont in a public sleep-out to raise awareness and funds for long-term solutions to homelessness.

According to U-turn’s communications manager Stephen Underwood, donations are still being processed, but the total had already reached R1155 000 on the night.

“It’s safe to say more than R1,1 million was raised,” he confirmed. Participants also included over 100 individuals and groups who hosted their own “virtual” sleep-outs in homes, churchyards and schools around the country.