# Depaul Trust capitalises on David Blaine stunt

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2003/09/24/depaul-trust-capitalises-david-blaine-stunt/
- Published: 2003-09-24T23:00:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

![](https://www.fundraising.co.uk/files/images/news/2373.jpg)

The Depaul Trust is using illusionist David Blaine’s stunt in a box suspended over
the Thames to highlight the dangers faced by homeless people.
The Trust’s advertising
agency Publicis is running a poster campaign on sites donated by media agencies.
The poster reads “Living in a box without food? Sounds familiar.” It first appeared
on an advertising van as Blaine entered his box and it is now on display around 
London. According to Third Sector, a passer-by donated £4,000 after seeing the poster
on the first night.

Dave Redfern, director of fundraising at Depaul Trust said: “David Blaine’s feats
of endurance are truly remarkable but some people live on the streets for months
or even years with no end in sight… It’s not easy living in a box when the abuse
starts. David Blaine is protected in his, has security guards and is out of reach
from physical harm. Young people who have to sleep on the streets face a far more
terrifying ordeal and often don’t get any sleep at all because they are so scared.”

## Advertisement

 * **[New Key Events Co-ordinator at Spinal Research](https://fundraising.co.uk/2003/10/01/new-key-events-coordinator-spinal-research/)**(
   1 October 2003)
 * **[Forthcoming consultations on public collections](https://fundraising.co.uk/2003/10/06/forthcoming-consultations-public-collections/)**(
   6 October 2003)
 * **[Cancer Research UK encourages bridge players to raise funds](https://fundraising.co.uk/2003/10/14/cancer-research-uk-encourages-bridge-players-raise-funds/)**(
   14 October 2003)