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Rangers fans have supported the Rangers Charity Foundation’s Big Ibrox Sleep Outs for a decade now, raising an incredible £358,500 for important charities addressing the causes and effects of homelessness, as well as supporting the Foundation’s own work in the community.

Today Jack Butland stressed the ongoing importance of this support:

“Over the last 10 years, the Big Ibrox Sleep outs have made a huge impact on tackling homelessness in Glasgow. As a Club and as players we understand the importance of the community work off the pitch as well as on it and we are proud of our supporters for continuing to take on this challenge or support those who are doing it to help people who don’t have a home to call their own.”

WATCH the interview with Jack.

Sleep Out events have funded an extra 310 days of Glasgow City’s Mission’s winter provision, directly helping around 6,000 individuals at risk of rough sleeping, as well as supporting a myriad of other projects including meal provision, Simon Community Scotland’s Connect Hub, warm winter clothing and sleeping bags, basic toiletries and more.

This season’s Sleep Outs will take place on Friday 14th and Saturday 15th November at Ibrox and there are still places to sign up here. This is your opportunity to sleep outside overnight in our iconic Stadium while raising money for those affected by homelessness.

Sleep Out participants will spend the night either on the technical area pitch-side or in the stand (under cover) if the weather is wet and will get a small glimpse of the nightly conditions experienced by people who are street homeless. Those who sign up for Friday 14th will also receive a complimentary ticket to the Rangers Women’s match against Celtic at Ibrox prior to sleeping out. Half the funds raised will benefit the work of Glasgow City Mission and Simon Community Scotland, with the other half of the profits supporting the Rangers Charity Foundation’s life-changing work in the community.

Glasgow City Mission is the world’s first City Mission and has been at the forefront of compassionate care for the city’s marginalised since 1826, addressing homelessness, poverty, and addiction.
This winter they will be returning to an Overnight Welcome Centre model within a local city centre hotel, providing emergency beds on site, operated by trained staff. Each night, there will even be a room provided that was specifically funded by the Sleep Out participants supporters.

Simon Community Scotland operates a drop-in support hub, helpline, street team and emergency and supported accommodation sites in Glasgow and North Lanarkshire and also operates in Edinburgh and Perth.

This season, the donation from the Sleep Outs to Simon Community Scotland will help to provide basics such as winter clothing (jackets, hats, scarves and gloves) and moving in packs which contain essentials for a new home, as well as supporting the charity’s Connect Hub for women experiencing homelessness.

32 Red have been strong supporters of the Big Ibrox Sleep Outs over the last ten years, providing a hot breakfast to almost 2000 people and donating the first £10 in sponsorship for every participant. Through their ongoing support, 32Red have contributed over £56,000 towards the events and continually support the work of the Foundation and their charitable initiatives.

David Henson, Supporter Engagement and Events Executive, Rangers Charity Foundation said:

“Our supporters have been incredible over the last decade, raising over £358,000 for homeless charities via the Big Ibrox Sleep Outs, as well as additional funds for the Foundation’s own work in the community and with its charity partners.”

“They have really taken this particular cause to heart. I think homelessness is something many of us see in the city every day, so it really struck a chord with fans and the Sleep Outs were a great way to get involved and do something positive while at the same time having the experience of spending the night in our iconic Stadium.”

“We hope our 11th annual Sleep Outs continue to be a huge success and help two vital causes working to end homelessness in Glasgow and we are so grateful for 32 Red’s ongoing support.”

Adam Gaskell, Head of UK Brand Marketing, FDJ United said: “We are continuing our support of the Big Ibrox Sleep Out by once again contributing the first £10 of sponsorship to every participant. This is an initiative we’ve been proud to support for many years as it aligns with our overall brand message of helping the local community and giving back. We want to thank everyone who has signed up so far and for supporting such a worthy cause. We hope that we can raise a lot of money to help those experiencing or at risk of homelessness”

Can’t attend the event? You can still make a donation here.