Call To Take Up YMCA’s The 44 Challenge

Published on: 14 Mar, 2022
Updated on: 14 Mar, 2022

The YMCA DownsLink Group, with a centre in Bridge Street, Guildford, says it believes passionately that no young person should live half a life.

It has launched The 44 Challenge to ensure no other young people become part of a shocking statistic that the average age of death for someone experiencing street homelessness is 44 years old.

It is appealing to people to get involved and to raise funds, asking them to get inspired and choose any challenge or task involving the numbers 44, 4.4 or 440.

You can choose whether to make a pledge and donate yourself, or set up a fundraising page. Click here for details.

It then asks people to share their page or donate, suggested donations of £4.40, £44, £440.

You can send photos and share your updates using YMCA DownsLink Group’s hashtag #The44Challenge and @ymcadlg

A pack that contains 44 ideas to do for the challenge can be downloaded here.

The YMCA DownsLink Group steps in to look after young people (aged 16 to 24) when they are vulnerable and facing difficulties in their life.

By supporting young people at this crucial stage in their lives they can prevent them from falling into a vicious circle of exclusion.

It provides a range of services that aim to keep young people safe, whatever they are facing.

It run youth advice centres, mentoring programmes, family mediation, counselling, support for young people facing sexual and criminal exploitation, and, give those facing homelessness a safe home.

The director of fundraising at YMCA DownsLink Group, Nikki Mason, said: “It has been a challenging year for us in terms of fundraising as so many events have had to be postponed or cancelled.

“But, at the same time the need for our services is increasing and we’re seeing more and more young people reaching out to us for support.

“Our services are under real pressure. We wanted to create a very simple fundraising challenge that allows people to choose to do something that will be good for them, whilst at the same time being a way for them to support others.

“We know that our community cares deeply about the issues of homelessness, as it is so visible in our region. By supporting us they will help prevent local young people from falling into the cycle of exclusion that stems from facing homelessness as a teenager.”

For more information or to sign up visit https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/The44Challenge