SIGN-UP to spend a night without shelter in solidarity with the homeless at the Big Stadium Sleep Out.

On Friday, November 30, spend a night under the stars to raise funds for charity at St Mary’s, Southampton, from 8pm-8.30am.

The event, run by The Big Issue Foundation in partnership with the Saints Foundation, will also see Lawrie McMenemy, previous manager of Southampton FC, conducting a Q&A at the event as well as British athlete Iwan Thomas, who will also be in attendance.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet them both at the event.

Stephen Robertson, CEO of The Big Issue Foundation, said: “Events like this enable us to ensure that our services team can tackle the complexities of rough sleeping, exclusion and the many other complex issues that challenge Big Issue vendors on a daily basis.

"My thanks to everyone, including the Saints Foundation, for helping us changing lives for good and making the night a huge success.”

On the night, you can expect to hear from some of those who have experienced the harsh reality of living on the streets, including those who undertook the Saints Foundation and Big Issue employability programme and how their lives have changed.

There will also be entertainment, activities and challenges to take part in, but from 11.30pm it’s lights out, as you experience what it’s really like for those sleeping on the streets.

Partnering up in August 2017, Southampton Football Club and The Big Issue joined forces to provide employment opportunities for Big Issue vendors in the local community, as well as other participants from Saints Foundation’s programmes who have faced some of life’s biggest challenges.

The fundraising target is £200 per person, and the funds raised will be split evenly between the two organisations.

Greg Baker, head of Saints Foundation and community partnerships at Southampton Football Club, said: “I’m delighted that both Lawrie and Iwan have agreed to the join us at The Big Stadium Sleep Out, here at St Mary’s Stadium on the evening of Friday 30th November. "

For more information, visit: www.bigissue.org.uk/event/big-stadium-sleep-out.