One Night To Make A Lifetime Of Difference In Guildford

Published on: 8 Feb, 2018
Updated on: 8 Feb, 2018

By Louisa Magnussen

Volunteers will once again be braving the cold streets of Guildford in a bid to raise funds to help the young homeless in our town.

YMCA Guildford, as part of YMCA DownsLink Group (YMCA DLG), will stage its annual Sleep Easy sleepout in Guildford on Friday, March 16.

TurnFit and YMCA staff get ready for the Sleep Easy fundraising sleepout taking place on Friday, March 16.

Sleep Easy is a national YMCA winter sleepout that raises awareness and funds for youth homelessness. Volunteers are invited to give up their warm beds for one night to change the futures of young people.

Paul Napthine, head of operations at YMCA Guildford, said: “Last year’s Sleep Easy volunteers raised money for the redevelopment of our small, dated hostel in Wharf Road, now reopened as YMCA Guildford Foyer, a smart, new home for young people who are ‘work ready’.

“This year’s Guildford Sleep Easy will raise funds for our Life Change Fund and for activities that will engage and inspire our young people.”

Staff at TurnFit Studio, a gym just across the road from YMCA Guildford, are getting involved with Sleep Easy for the first time. Gaynor, a director at TurnFit said: “We are really excited to be able to support the YMCA in their efforts to improve the lives of those in our community who are struggling.

“Alongside our recent collaboration with them to provide boxing (and soon yoga) to their vulnerable young adults, the TurnFit staff and some of our fabulous members will be raising money for and participating in this important Sleep Easy event.”

YMCA DLG provides safe accommodation and opportunities for young people who have been made, or are at risk of becoming, homeless.

The YMCA’s Life Change Fund is available for young people in specific financial need to take up an opportunity such as training or education.

YMCA Guildford’s Sleep Easy will once again take place under the stars in the Castle Grounds, with use of the facilities of Castle Green Bowling Club’s clubhouse.

A volunteer who slept out last year said: “It was a really eye opening experience. It made me think about things I hadn’t even considered before about sleeping rough.”

Another said: “It was one night that could make a difference to lots of nights for others. Great fun and nice people.”

There are many young people who, for a range of reasons, find they can no longer remain living at home. Last year across West Surrey, East and West Sussex YMCA DLG housed around 550 young people every night who would otherwise have been homeless.

If you think you could you give up one night of comfort to make a lifetime of difference find out more and sign up at: www.ymcadlg.org/SleepEasy18

It won’t be warm or comfortable but this is an opportunity to do something remarkable for the local community.