At this festive time of the year, it can be easy to forget those for whom there is little if any joy. Homelessness on our streets is an ongoing and real concern, and a terrible indictment on our society. As a community proud to have compassion as one of its core values, St Dunstan’s seeks, through our broad educational purpose, to help young people see the importance of empathy and relating to those less fortunate than ourselves. 

It is with this in mind that the Head, Nicholas Hewlett, along with a small group of Sixth Form students and staff, has decided to sleep rough on the College campus for one night in the last week of term. With just a sleeping bag and a cardboard box, they will face the elements overnight at a time when our whole community is tired and drained from the activity of the term. The purpose is threefold. For those involved, it will help humble us in our appreciation of the travails faced by so many. For our whole community, it will raise awareness of the very real issue of homelessness on our streets. Lastly, we hope to raise some money for Centrepoint, a South London Charity, which does so much to raise funds for those living on the streets of south London. Thank you very much in advance for your generosity and support of this very worthy cause.