Crown Oil Arena sleep out raises thousands to help end homelessness in Rochdale

Monday, 1 September 2025 23:35

By David Murphy

Volunteers brave the cold at football stadium to raise over £5,600 for vulnerable people in the borough

Dozens of volunteers spent a night on the concrete at Rochdale AFC’s Crown Oil Arena to raise funds and awareness for homelessness in the borough, generating more than £5,600 for local charities.

The annual ‘Sleep Out’ event, held overnight on 29 to 30 August, was jointly organised by Petrus and Rochdale AFC Community Trust. It saw 31 participants take part in a symbolic sleep-out at the football ground to experience, in part, the challenges faced by those without safe accommodation.

With a fundraising target of £9,107, the initiative has already passed the halfway mark, reaching £5,637.53 by the morning after the event. Donations remain open as both individuals and teams continue to drum up support.

Participants were treated to hot drinks and sausage butties in the morning, a welcome reward after a night on cold concrete under the open sky.

Local fundraising groups Dale1907, In Their Shoes, and Zen Internet are leading the way on the donation leaderboard. Meanwhile, Team SHMA said the experience had been a “humbling” reminder of how hard daily life can be for those who sleep rough.

The event was about more than raising money. Organisers designed the night to help participants understand the harsh realities of homelessness and highlight the ongoing work done by both Petrus and Rochdale AFC Community Trust.

Petrus, a charity with over 50 years of service in the borough, supports people experiencing homelessness by offering safe spaces and personalised support. The football club’s community trust arm has been active for nearly 40 years, running initiatives aimed at improving health, safety, and inclusion across Rochdale.

The message from the event was clear: no one should be left out. Organisers say the donations will go directly towards supporting people at risk of, or currently experiencing, homelessness.

In a statement after the event, the charities said: “Your generosity is more than just a donation, it’s a statement of compassion, solidarity, and hope. Every penny brings us closer to ending homelessness in our community.”

Online donations can still be made at givestar.io/ev/rochdale or directly to the general fund at givestar.io/donate/rochdale-afc-community-trust