Make it a hat trick for the homeless on the 23rd February

On Friday 23rd February 2024 we are asking all our supporters to wear a woolly hat for the homeless.

It’s colder this year. Much colder. So we’re all wearing woolly hats. All of the time. So why would we ask you to wear just one to support the homeless on February 23rd?

Firstly, to identify with the plight of those of those have nothing above their heads, other than a hat. Secondly, to raise some much needed funds for our work with the homeless. But as everyone is woolly hatted this year, we’re asking you to wear not one, not two, but three hats on top of each other – and score a hat trick. This of course will produce hilarious results. That’s what we’re hoping for. Take a picture, send it to us, we’ll publish it and the winning group, company or individual will be crowned (or woolly hatted) as Brighton & Hove’s most caring company or group.

So what difference does wearing a woolly hat (or three) for a day make

Woolly hats, gloves, socks, underwear and weather-proof outer clothes are the items that keep rough sleepers warm in the Winter months. A hat enables the wearer to retain much needed warmth inside the body rather than release it to the air.

By wearing woolly hats for just one day you are showing solidarity with less fortunate members of our community - and by paying just £1 if you are a child or £5 for adults, you are providing practical help as well.

To find out more click on the QR code or go to www.offthefence.org.uk/woollyhatday2024 where you can register your interest as an individual or group.

As a business, it’s a fun way of doing CSR and getting the company name out there. As a parent or a school teacher, church or youth club leader this is a perfect route to introducing young people to the ways in which some lives are not as warm and loving as their own. It also gives them the opportunity to start a fundraising project of their own, have a bit of fun in the process and also compete with their friends for who is wearing the biggest, most ludicrous hat!

Send in photos of the embarrassing results that can be shared (with your permission) on our website and social media to promote your group or business.

Of any ten people who find themselves homeless:

1 is a woman

2 have jobs

2 are from overseas

4 will be attacked and hurt whilst on the streets

5 have mental health problems

10 want homes with stability, hot food, water and a front door with a key

Pay £1 by texting WOOL to 70085* - adults £5 (WOOL5) and if you want to donate more (per hat?), just add the amount to the word wool i.e. text WOOL20 to donate £20.

*Your provider will charge you £1 which will go straight to Off The Fence plus standard messaging rate.

Thank you. We take our hats off to you..