A Brighton lettings agent is helping to organise a charity outdoor sleep event to raise money for a day centre for young people experiencing homelessness.

Julian Bishop, director of Bishop Sullivan, is co-organising the third Big City Sleepout, scheduled for 12 December at the i360 in Brighton, along with the Clock Tower Sanctuary. The event is returning after a three-year break, with £25,000 raised last time out.

Bishop had the idea for the event in 2018 in an effort to offer a solution to Brighton and Hove’s growing homelessness problem, with the area suffering the highest levels in the South East, according to homeless charity Shelter.

“I’d seen sleepouts being successful elsewhere but they were often in more clement times of year,” Bishop told Property Industry Eye. “I wanted to do something that was a challenge and brought fundraisers and those donating closer to those we are all trying to help.”

Bishop decided the Clock Tower Sanctuary was the “best fit” for the cause. “They are the only support for 16- to 25-year-olds, who – statistically speaking – have the best chance of turning things around,” he explained. “The paid and voluntary staff are always welcoming and show a real love and care for their clients’ welfare. It was a no-brainer,” he added.

Bishop is aiming for 50 fundraisers to take part and hopes to match the £25,000 total from 2019. He will be the only member of Bishop Sullivan sleeping out – “There’s only three of us and it’s not really the other two’s bag!” he explained – although some of the agency’s landlords and tenants are expected to join in.

Money raised for the CTS centre will go towards clothing and food supplies, client support and help with rent and utility bills. In addition, Bishop provides free advice to any of CTS’s clients who need help obtaining or retaining a tenancy.

A Just Giving page for the Big City Sleepout can be found here.