On Friday 6 November, local homeless and addictions charity Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT), will be hosting a fundraising event on the night of their 50th birthday at Christ Church Spitalfields, where the charity was founded in 1965.(1)
The event aims to help meet the charity’s target of raising an extra £50,000 this year to help fund its progression work which supports people in recovery from addictions get back into work, training or education.
“50 years ago SCT opened one of the first shelters in the UK for homeless alcoholic men. Sadly today, there still remains a persistent need to help people through periods of addiction and homelessness which is rapidly increasing again. 50 people will sleep overnight with us in the iconic and newly-renovated Crypt to help raise vital funds for our work.” Graham Marshall, CEO, SCT.
A guest Royal visitor will also be attending part of the evening.
“Be warned, it won’t be a comfortable night. The crypt floor is hard and cold and people will need to bring sleeping bags, mats and anything else they need to make it comfy. But it will be a unique and historical night as we have lined up a fantastic evening of stories about Spitalfields past to be shared on the night. Tales will be shared by local historians, amazing story-tellers and former SCT crypt residents before we bed down for the night in the heart of this historical part of London.” Stephen Armstrong, Head of Fundraising, SCT
There is no sign up fee to join the event, but the charity encourages sleepers to raise £300 each from colleagues, friends and family to experience some hardship for the night and to support their work.
In the morning, after a simple breakfast, a thanksgiving service with the Bishop of Stepney, Adrian Newman, will take place to welcome the new day and celebrate SCT’s 50th anniversary
To find out more about the event, go to: www.sct.org.uk/sleepin or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/events/1643229462584313/ or email Sonia: communications@sct.org.uk
SCT: a short history
In early 1965, the Rector of Christ Church found a homeless man had passed away on the Church steps one night. Shaken to the core by this, that November, he opened up the Crypt as a shelter for homeless alcoholic men. This was back when Spitalfields Market was a big fruit and veg market. Today SCT stills run a drop in for the homeless serving over 150 visitors a week alongside:
• a 16-bed residential recovery accommodation
• 4 supported houses hosting 29 beds for those ready to integrate back into wider society
• a training and personal development centre now teaching over 80 students per term
• 2 social enterprises
• relapse prevention groups and counselling services
• 7 charity shops
ENDS
1. Christ Church Spitalfields was designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor in the 18th-century: Commercial St, London E1 6LY
About the Spitalfields Crypt Trust
SCT is an East London charity providing practical help, support and training to people who have been homeless and suffering from addiction. It runs a drop in, rehabilitation hostel, personal development & training centre and a number of social enterprises to allow recovering addicts to gain work experience and training. The charity was one of the first in the UK to provide shelter to homeless, alcoholic men.
1. Find out more about the 50th birthday at: www.sct.org.uk/about-us/scts-50th-anniversary
2. Registered office: Acorn House 116-118 Shoreditch High Street London E1 6JN. Spitalfields Crypt Trust is registered in England and Wales and limited by guarantee. Registered Charity No. 1075947 Company No 37347930.
3. Follow us on Twitter: @recoverypathway #SCT50 and facebook.com/recoverypathway
Contact
For high-res images or more information, please email communications@sct.org.uk.
