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Students sleep-out for the homeless

Press release issued: 18 February 2004

Issues of homelessness will be highlighted during this year's Student Community Action (SCA) week at Bristol University with a sponsored sleep-out by students on Friday, February 20.

Issues of homelessness will be highlighted during this year's Student Community Action (SCA) week at Bristol University with a sponsored sleep-out by students on Friday, February 20.

Organised in conjunction with AIESEC, over 100 students from all over the South West will spend the night in the Students' Union car park to raise money for local projects working with the homeless and increase awareness of homelessness.

The sleep-out will take place between 11 pm and 7 am with all money raised going to local homeless projects such as the Julian Trust Nightshelter, which provides the homeless with food and somewhere warm to sleep.

Bryony Ryan, SCA Co-ordinator, said: 'Last year we raised over £700 for local homeless projects, this money made a real difference.  We hope this year is going to be bigger and better than ever and that we really get the message across.

'Students living in Bristol frequently see homeless people begging and are advised to give to homeless charities instead of individuals.  This is a real opportunity for them to make a difference.'

SCA has 800 volunteers in total, working on projects from a day centre for the elderly to helping out in local schools.  It regularly sends volunteers to help out at a night shelter, which provides well over 100 meals each night, as well as 15 beds for homeless individuals.

AIESEC is the world's largest international student organisation with 30,000 members in over 80 countries.  It was founded over 50 years ago in the aftermath of World War II to help develop cultural understanding in the youth of the moment, in order to promote and establish peace in the future.

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