With Simon’s Big Sleep now just a short time away, we spent some time talking to our fabulous sponsor DUSK.com.
This is the second year in a row that DUSK.com have sponsored our flagship fundraiser, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their support. Aside from their sponsorship, they’re also donating a bedding bundle to a homeless accommodation provider in Leeds for every person who signs up to take part.
Take a look at what Sian Guest, Head of Brand Marketing at DUSK.com had to say about why they’ve chosen to take part, and what it means to their business.
As well as sponsoring the event and the bedding donations, you’ve also got a team taking part on the night. Are you all looking forward to it? Are you prepared?
Yes, we’re really looking forward to taking part in Simon’s Big Sleep Out. Last years’ event was a great success and we’re proud to be involved for a second year running.
We’re pretty much there with preparations. We’ve set up a Just Giving page so we can help raise some additional funds for the all important outreach work that Simon on the Streets delivers. All that’s left for us to do is to get our sleeping bags at the ready – there’s a mix of nerves and excitement between us all ahead of the big night.
Tell us a little bit about DUSK.com as a business. What does the future look like?
It’s an exciting time for DUSK.com right now. This year alone has seen a few firsts for us as a business; we've expanded our product offering and launched into a number of new product categories, including dining room and bedroom furniture. We’ve also celebrated 1 million happy customers, our first pop-up shop in the Trafford Centre and more recently the launch of our brand new ATL campaign, #DuskSayin.
I don’t want to give too much away, but there are a few projects we’re working hard on behind the scenes that we can’t wait to share with everyone.
As a business, how important is it for you to support a charity? What benefits do you see from it?
Supporting charities is really important for us, we understand the value of giving back to those in need and we know it’s more important now than ever before.
Whenever we’ve worked closely with charities in the past, including Simon on the Streets, it’s been a collective team effort. Everybody likes to pitch in wherever they can, whether that’s getting involved in fundraising efforts or organising and despatching bedding donations. It’s important for us that our team feel proud of both themselves and the business they work for, knowing we’re all committed to making a difference beyond our usual business operations.
It’s also great to see community engagement across our social platforms too. We’ve always seen a really positive response from our audience and customers regarding any charity work we’ve been involved with.
Why have you chosen to support Simon on the Streets?
We’ve worked with Simon on the Streets for a couple of years now. The work you do is invaluable and we’re always happy to support your teams in delivering the much needed resources and supplies within our local communities. We believe that everybody deserves a place to call home, and by supporting you, we can help make a difference in the lives of those facing homelessness in its many forms, right on our doorstep.
What would you say to any businesses thinking about signing up to take part in Simon’s Big Sleep Out?
Do it. Get involved in any way you can. It’s a great event and there’s a real sense of community between everybody taking part. It’s a chance to raise awareness and learn more about the work that Simon on the Streets carries out, and helps them raise vital funds that are needed now more than ever.
In terms of the night itself, you’ll be feeling a mix of emotions, including excitement and some nerves. Prepare yourself to be cold and without any of your usual creature comforts for the night, but it’s a reminder of how many things we can unknowingly take for granted as individuals sometimes.
To take part in this year’s Simon’s Big Sleep Out, all you need to do is sign up here. If you’ve got any questions, or you’d like to know more about becoming a corporate supporter, simply get in touch and our team will be happy to help.