Hundreds sleep out to raise money to tackle youth homelessness in Greater Manchester
The charity Centrepoint is hoping to raise £50,000 from the event
Hundreds of people will be braving the cold and sleeping out at Victoria Baths tonight, to raise money to help tackle youth homelessness in Greater Manchester.
It is hoped the annual sleep out event will raise £50,000 for the young people's homeless charity - Centrepoint.
The event will see 150 people experience what it is like to sleep in a drafty, unheated building - to get a better understanding of what rough sleepers face on a nightly basis.
The event will be hosted by former cast member of The Bill and Hollyoaks, and long-standing Centrepoint ambassador, Lisa Maxwell.
Lisa said: “Homelessness in Manchester is such a pressing concern for us all and it is especially worrying when you hear, and see, the scale of the issue in the city.
“It’s brilliant that we have an event like Sleep Out, to not only highlight the issue, but to also raise money to help prevent youth homelessness and to continue supporting those who are affected.
“So I’m delighted to be supporting the Manchester Sleep Out for a second year and I’m looking forward to seeing the amazing venue and all the brilliant people taking part in this year’s event.”
Ben Bowden, Regional Fundraising Manager at Centrepoint, said: “Our Sleep Out event is a fun experience, but it has a serious side to it. Homelessness in Manchester is on the increase and it is vital that we continue to raise awareness and funds to try and break the cycle.
“Sleep Out is a chance for you to say that youth homelessness is not acceptable and help Centrepoint provide futures for young people who find themselves in terrible circumstances.”
Andrew Bester, CEO of The Co-operative Bank said: “We’re proud to sponsor a second Sleep Out Manchester event in support of our charity partner Centrepoint. Last year’s event was a great success and we’re hoping to build on that and raise even more money to aid Centrepoint’s work with homeless young people in Manchester who so urgently need help and support to get out of crisis.