Sleepout for Cambridge 2026: Our Biggest Fundraising Sleepout Yet

In February, Cambridge United Foundation partnered with Wintercomfort for the Homeless for the annual Sleepout at the Cledara Abbey Stadium, raising the most money since the Sleepout's inception.

The event aims to raise money and awareness for those sleeping rough, struggling with stable housing, or in need of support finding jobs, among other things. Brave sleepers, including teams from AstraZeneca, Green & Purple, Hill Group UK, Cledara, Cambridgeshire Council and WT (UK and Europe), all took part in the Sleepout.

James Holden, Fundraising Manager at Wintercomfort for the Homeless, referred to the Sleepout as the charity’s “flagship fundraising event”, describing the Abbey as an “iconic” venue for the Sleepout. 

As put by Mark Bonner, Director of Football at Cambridge United Football Club, whilst the stadium and club is certainly here to entertain “we’re also here to educate and inspire and to support those that need it.” The Sleepout brings together these goals, linking the Club, the Foundation, its partners and the community to try and make a difference to people’s lives in the city.

Cambridge is the most unequal city in the country, and the Sleepout hopes to spotlight this issue, whilst bringing support to those most in need. Jonathan Bell, Director at AstraZeneca, talking to the Foundation at the Sleepout, felt “confident that the money raised here tonight will go a long way to help people in the area”. 

This is at the core of the Foundation’s mission, harnessing the power of sport to make a positive impact on the community we serve.

We’d like to thank all those who took part in the Sleepout, and to Cambridge United Football Club, Scudamore’s Punting Company, Girton Golf Club, Cambridge Arts Theatre, Gonville Hotel, The Fellows House, Cambridge Film Festival, Cambridge Juice Co., Holiday Inn Cambridge, Majority Audio, Cambscuisine, Rivertown Brewing and Cledara for donating prizes for the Sleepout Raffle.

All money raised will go towards community programmes run by the Foundation, and help Wintercomfort for the Homeless’ mission in Cambridge.