The Belvedere students’ SleepOut 22 to raise money for the homeless raised a record sum of €315,000, the highest amount ever generated since the SleepOuts began almost 40 years ago.

Media and sports celebrities joined the public in supporting the students to raise the money by sleeping out and fasting over three days just before Christmas. There was sustained applause and cheering when the figure was called out at the annual Christmas Eve Mass which heralds the end of the SleepOut.

The SleepOut 22 began with a Mass, also in the college, and celebrated by veteran homelessness campaigner Peter McVerry SJ. Then it was off to the streets with the students and some of the college staff to continue their fundraising.

Student organiser Cian O’Byrne admitted that sleeping out was a harsh taste of the reality that many homeless people have to suffer. “Many of the lads were shocked by how tough it was, and it left us exhausted on Christmas Day but also more grateful for what we actually have. It was our privilege to be able to do what we could for homelessness in Ireland.”

He said that all those involved went beyond what was asked of them to bring in that huge amount of money. The college band came down and played for people, another student gave haircuts for free, there was carol signing with the college choir, and all sorts of impromptu happenings.