In October this year, the team from Simon on the Streets will be taking part in Light Night Leeds. And we couldn’t be more excited.
This is an incredible opportunity to raise awareness around the challenges that homelessness poses. For us, as a team supporting those who need us in Leeds and Bradford, it feels really fitting to be able to raise that awareness right here in the city centre itself, on the David Oluwale Bridge. We’re so excited to see as many of you as we can out in Leeds on the 12th and 13th October, and here we’re taking a look at what it’s all about and where you can find us.
What is Light Night Leeds?
This is art in the dark! For almost 20 years, Light Night Leeds has been lighting up the streets of Leeds with incredible illuminations and art displays. It’s one of the city’s real high(light)s.
With light installations of all shapes and sizes throughout the city centre, the festival was created to (quite literally) shine a light on the abundance of creative and diverse talent Leeds has to offer. From Quarry Hill and Millenium Square to Briggate and Victoria, you’ll also find musicians, street performances, stalls and games throughout the festival. It really is one of the biggest spectacles of the year, and you can find out everything else you need to know about it here.
Simon on the Streets at Light Night
With over 100,000 visitors expected over the two days, we’re very grateful to be able to spread awareness around the issue of homelessness.
You’ll find us at the recently opened David Oluwale Bridge, which links Sovereign Street and Water Lane. It’s an incredibly symbolic and fitting place for Simon on the Streets to be, and we’re honoured to be able to honour David’s story.
David’s story
In 1969, David Oluwale tragically drowned in the River Aire after prejudiced targeting by local police. He was targeted specifically because of his Nigerian nationality and the fact that was homeless at the time.
Since then, the David Oluwale Memorial Association (DOMA) has been promoting equality, diversity and racial harmony in Leeds by telling David’s story.
At the bridge opening ceremony, DOMA’s co-chair, Emily Zobel Marshall told the BBC, ‘The new David Oluwale Bridge is deeply symbolic. It is a physical emblem of our commitment to confront historic institutional failings and prejudices which led to the death of an innocent man, as well as a representation of renewal; of our commitment to aim for a future where people from all cultural and economic backgrounds are made to feel safe and welcome in Leeds.’
We can’t think of any better way to look to the future.
‘A walk in their shoes’ and Simon’s Big Sleep Out
That's the theme of this year’s campaign as we prepare for our flagship fundraising event, Simon’s Big Sleep Out. You’ll be hearing lots more about it in the coming weeks, as well as during Light Night, where our outreach workers and fundraisers will be to answer all your questions and give you more information on their incredible work.
Simon’s Big Sleep Out will take place at the Civic Hall on Thursday 19th October. If you’d like to get involved, registration is now open, and you can sign up here.
If you’d like any further information about Light Night, Simon’s Big Sleep Out, or how you can support Simon on the Streets in any other way, all you need to do is get in touch with the team - we’re here to help.