Over £16K raised for YMCA Bournemouth through BIG Sleep Easy
The event saw supporters spending a night in makeshift shelters
More than £16,500 has been raised to support homeless people in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole - thanks to supporters experiencing a taste of what it's like.
YMCA Bournemouth has held their latest BIG Sleep Easy event at Talbot Heath School in Poole last weekend (Saturday 14th October).
More than 80 people made their own makeshift shelters for a night under the stars - to raise awareness of the difficult conditions that people on the streets face every night.
A study by charity Shelter has estimated that one in 366 people across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole locality are homeless, combining those sleeping rough with those in sheltered accommodation.
Sheena Dayman, Events Manager of YMCA Bournemouth said:
“BIG Sleep Easy always makes me proud of the business community we are so fortunate to have in Dorset. The dedication, teamwork and generosity of the people who take part in this event is a heartwarming reminder of what we are able to achieve when we come together.
“I want to thank Talbot Heath School for providing the use of their premises for the event this year, and SUEZ recycling for collecting the cardboard shelters to be recycled. Finally, a huge thank you to every person who participated in the event, and the businesses they were representing. Without their efforts in supporting BIG Sleep Easy, it simply would not be possible to raise this funding to support our work with vulnerable people in our area.”
A JustGiving page set up to support those taking part remains open.
It's also been confirmed that the event will return in 2024 - since the BIG Sleep Easy began, it's now raise more than £100,000 for YMCA Bournemouth.