The Big Byron Sleepout

Join us for The Big Byron Sleepout, a profound event happening just one week after National Homelessness Week. This initiative offers compassionate community members the chance to experience a night on the streets, helping to combat stigma and raise crucial funds for one of Byron Bay's essential homelessness support services: Fletcher Street Cottage.

According to the latest NSW Street Count data, our community has more rough sleepers than the City of Sydney. Despite this, Fletcher Street Cottage is not fully funded and relies heavily on fundraisers and donations to meet its operational budget.

Event Details:

• Date: Saturday, 17 August
• Location: 27 Fletcher St, Byron Bay, outside The Book Room at Byron
• Registration Fee: $100
• Fundraising Goal: Raise at least $400 in sponsorships
• Event Website: bigbyronsleepout.com

Fletcher Street Cottage serves as a frontline service providing essential support to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It offers food, showers, laundry facilities, social work, support services, and a sense of community—a lifeline for our most vulnerable residents. To remain fully operational, the service requires $800k per annum to operate four days a week. Our goal for The Big Byron Sleepout is to raise $70k.

The CWA has graciously offered to provide hot soup and beverages as we gather and welcome participants to this inaugural event. This sleepout is an opportunity to understand the challenges faced by those without a home—it’s uncomfortable, cold, lacking privacy, and can feel unsafe. It’s a night to foster empathy and drive change.

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