The charity are calling on the community to take part (credit: YMCA)
Due to the pandemic, YMCA Thames Gateway’s annual fundraiser, “Sleep Easy”, will see people sleep out for the night in their back gardens rather than out on the streets.
As part of a national campaign, the event will take place from 7pm on Friday, 26 March to 7am on Saturday, 27 March.
Vital funds raised from the event will go towards delivering support for residents and homeless young people in the area.
It will also help fund the charity’s community response, which is currently helping vulnerable families locally with essential food and care packages.
In previous years, the charity’s annual sleep out would have involved groups and individuals sharing an evening outside and together to spread awareness of the harsh realities of sleeping rough.
Senior Area Fundraiser, Kirsty Doubleday said: “Sleeping out all night is really difficult. Obviously the weather conditions impact that; we’re doing it in March so the weather’s not particularly great.
“Everyone when I did it last year, they all loved it. They were all thankful that they had the opportunity to do it and see what it would be like for someone who is homeless.”
Fundraising for the charity is down as a result of the pandemic.
Kirsty said: “We’ve had to put certain events on hold, a lot of our work with corporate groups and schools, in terms of fundraising has stopped where companies are cutting back on funds.
“There are grants you can apply for but because so many people are doing that the success rate is so low and there’s less general donations.”
The charity is encouraging everyone to get involved in the Sleep Easy event.
“Because it’s virtual, it allows alot more opportunity for people to get involved,” said Kirsty.
“For example, there’s alot more children doing it with their families; because obviously they feel it’s more safe to do it in a tent in their garden where as normally it would be held within a park.
“This year gives people that opportunity to do what they want to do because alot of young people, although they might sleep outside, they also sofa surf aswell so it’s thinking about the different kind of homelessness and how different people may live.”
Chief Executive of YMCA Thames Gateway, Dave Ball said: “We know from our own experience over the past 150 years that without the support offered by YMCA Thames Gateway, many more vulnerable young people would be forced to sleep on the streets, with less options and less chance of realising their potential.
“With this in mind, YMCA Thames Gateway is calling on the community to sleep somewhere other than their beds and help raise a record sum of money for this special Sleep Easy event.
“Please participate, donate and nominate to spread the word: one night can make a lifetime of difference.”
Anyone who would like further information on taking part can sign up on the YMCA Thames Gateway website.
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Tags: Romford, Havering, YMCA
