The 50 cities taking part in the World’s Big Sleep Out have been revealed

Big Issue ambassador Sabrina Cohen-Hatton is among the big names who will be fighting to end homelessness at Social Bite’s World’s Big Sleep Out event in December as the final cities were confirmed today.

The global event, dubbed the “Live Aid of homelessness” by the social enterprise’s co-founder Josh Littlejohn MBE, will see people sleep out to raise $50 million (£40.3m) across 50 locations to go towards ending homelessness for good.

Will Smith will be telling bedroom stories in New York’s Times Square while Dame Helen Mirren will do the same in London’s Trafalgar Square on December 7.

“Homelessness on our streets is a real problem in the UK and for many nations throughout the world,” said Mirren. “This coupled with an unprecedented number of refugees being displaced internationally makes this a really important time to focus attention on the issue of global homelessness.

“The World’s Big Sleep Out campaign will play an important role in shining the political spotlight on the issues of homelessness and displacement whilst raising considerable funds to make a big difference.”

She’ll be joined in London by West Sussex chief fire officer and former Big Issue vendor Cohen-Hatton as well as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, presenter and model Lisa Snowdon, six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy MBE, ITV News Presenter Julie Etchingham and singer Jamelia among others.

"The biggest message I take from it is how we are all capable of bringing about huge change."

Singer and presenter @Jamelia tells #Sunrise how the @BigSleepOuts aims to raise awareness of homelessness rather than 'joining in'.

Today's top stories: https://t.co/p4DGvJKFBh pic.twitter.com/GFLzWBLANF

— Sky News (@SkyNews) September 17, 2019

The Big Issue Foundation, our charitable arm, is a partner organisation of the World’s Big Sleep Out and will be a beneficiary of both sleep outs at London’s Trafalgar Square and the Kia Oval Cricket Ground, standing in support with events around the globe.

As well as London and New York, there will be events in Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Newport, Brighton and Manchester as well as a host of sleep outs across the rest of the world.

Each event will feature live acoustic performances with line-ups to be confirmed at a later date.

And just like the Sleep in the Park events across Scotland that preceded this event, people are urged to host their own event if they cannot make it to an official event.

On 7th December, 50,000 people will sleep outside in 50 cities to call for an end to global #homelessness. Be one of them & help raise $50 million to help 1 million #homeless people around the world. Join #BigSleepOut at https://t.co/ojWRFiKOcH#endhomelessness pic.twitter.com/2S9R6yO6L6

— The Worlds Big Sleep Out (@BigSleepOuts) September 17, 2019

Littlejohn said: “I am blown away by the response to The World’s Big Sleep Out so far and incredibly excited to have 50 cities all over the world taking part.

“It doesn’t matter if you are taking part in Times Square or in your back garden with your family, by sleeping out for one night on December 7 we can simultaneously express our compassion for homeless people who have no other choice and raise lifesaving funds to make a difference.

“We can also send a message to the world’s political leaders that urgent action is required to address the human suffering that we each witness on our streets every day.”

It is hoped that an estimated 50,000 participants will collectively achieve a fundraising target of $50m which will be invested to sustainably help the homeless and displaced people of the world.

To be among those sleeping out, register here.