On Friday 3rd of March I will be taking part in the YMCA Sleep Easy event.
Our strap-line is “I’m sleeping rough so others don’t have to” and we are raising funds to support the work of the YMCA in preventing youth homelessness in the Sedgemoor area.
I’ll will be sleeping rough for the night, so my question to anyone reading this is: “how much would you pay to spend the night in your nice warm comfy bed?” Why not sponsor me the equivalent amount it will make a huge difference to a young homeless person.
Over 3,500 people sleep rough in the UK every night. Hidden homelessness is a major problem in the UK with over 80,000 young people face homelessness every year, three times official figures.
Homelessness is defined by the Government as ‘having no permanent home to go to’. The reality is you don’t have to be on the streets to be considered homeless; many homeless young people ‘sofa surf’ relying on the goodwill of others for a bed for the night and in some cases many years.
Imagine how you would cope if you became homeless through no fault of your own. Maybe you were fleeing an arranged marriage? Or escaping from physical, mental or sexual abuse? Or your parents have found a new partner who simply doesn’t want you around? Where would you go? How isolated would you feel?
Homeless people’s lives can get out of control very quickly; they can find themselves moving from place to place sometimes daily, often sharing their living space with strangers. With limited access to support and financial help serious issues can often occur, but it doesn’t have to be like this.
YMCA's are asking supporters to sleep out so others don’t have to this year by taking part in special Sleep Easy events all over England and Wales.
One night can make a lifetime of difference.
Thank you
