Sleep out at the Tank Museum to support homeless veterans

The BIG Sleep at The Tank Museum, in Bovington, is part of a series of events which sees fundraisers sleep out at iconic venues across the country to help end homelessness.

Participants will be able to spend the night of Friday 20th January sleeping inside the museum in order to raise much-needed funds.

Organised by Alabaré, a veterans charity, the Tank Museum will open up its Cold War Hall to enable those taking part to sleep amongst a selection of post World War Two tanks as well as visit an exhibition featuring machinery used as part of Battlegroup Afghanistan.

Rebecca Mullen, events manager at Alabaré, said the funds would help make a ‘life changing difference’ to veterans ‘who have fallen into crisis in their civilian lives’.

She said:: “We are acutely aware of the mental health and financial pressures on many veterans right now, and it is imperative that we can continue to provide this vital support. We rely on the generosity of our fantastic BIG Sleepers to help us raise the funds we need.

“The BIG Sleep at The Tank Museum promises to be a thought provoking yet fun night for all those tank enthusiasts out there and all those with a heart for the homeless.  We are looking forward to seeing everyone on January 20."

Rosanna Dean, visitor experience general manager at The Tank Museum said: “Hosting The BIG Sleep at The Tank Museum is a great way to highlight the contribution of Armed Forces veterans and help to make sure they’re being taken care of in a time of need.

“We’re incredibly pleased to be able to support the work being done by Alabaré to assist veterans who have fallen into crisis.”

Alabaré provides support for veterans across Wales and the south of England: they currently run two Homes for Veterans in Weymouth, providing accommodation and support for veterans who have struggled in their civilian lives and become homeless

For more information about the event and how to sign up visit to www.alabare.co.uk