In an effort to raise money for a homeless charity, 54 students from Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Academy spent the night in their school hall. Organized by Julie Abbott, the school home support worker, the “protest” sought to raise over £300 (approximately $500). But rather than just raise money, the idea behind The Big Snore was to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness.

Abbot explained: “the children slept in their home-made dwellings, made from paper, cardboard and waste materials and experienced how a homeless person might survive living under the stars. The children had a great time. They are already talking about doing it again next year.”

A food bank was set up for the children to make a donation to and a competition for the best shelter was set up. According to Pauline Lynch, head teacher, “lessons have been learned from the Big Snore initiative and the children realize that they are very lucky to have loving families and nice homes. Money is still coming in, in support of the Big Snore, and there is a likelihood that we might champion the cause of the charity again in the future.”
This has clearly been a great lesson for the children and something that would never have been learned in the traditional setting where they spend hours upon hours sitting at school desks.