Bed Down Where You Like For YMCA’s Sleep Easy Fundraiser

Published on: 5 Oct, 2020
Updated on: 5 Oct, 2020

The YMCA in Guildford is inviting people to take part in a fun event, which, it says, will connect you to others, make a difference to local young people, while still maintaining social distancing.

Your family and / or your bubble take take part in YMCA DownsLink Group’s fundraising Sleep Easy this Friday, October 9.

YMCA DownsLink Group is inviting people to take part in its Sleep Easy fundraising event this Friday, October 9.

The YMCA is asking people to fundraise by sleeping “anywhere but your bed”.

People can literally take part anywhere in the annual event that also raises issues around youth homelessness, often about ‘sofa surfing’, rather than rough sleeping.

As part of the evening, there will be a ‘live’ online event, with a range of entertainment, from bedtime stories with Gruffalo author Julia Donaldson and the legendary children’s presenter Floella Benjamin, to fire dancing and singing with Elvis!

You can sign up by clicking here.

YMCA DownsLink Group’s director of communications and fundraising, Nikki Mason, said: “Due to coronavirus, we had to postpone our mass participation Sleep Out event – so we have given it a stylish makeover to ensure it’s an accessible, inclusive and safe event that anyone can take part in.

“Just grab a sleeping bag and sleep anywhere you like, your garden, build a den in the hall, lounge or any other safe space. The money raised will help fund our services which tackle the root causes of youth homelessness, including our vital family mediation service.”

The charity has seen an increase of 61% in young people needing housing advice during lockdown, due mainly to family breakdown.

Throughout the year, YMCA DownsLink Group provides safe, stable housing to more than 750 young people in need throughout Sussex and Surrey.

However, the charity’s first priority is to keep young people in the family home, where possible, through mediation services. Money raised by Sleep Easy will help fund this service.

You can donate by clicking here.