YMCA SLEEP EASY EVENT RETURNS THIS MARCH

On Friday 10th March 2023, hundreds of people will be sleeping anywhere but their beds to raise awareness of the thousands of young people made homeless each year, and YMCA Northumberland is calling on local residents to join in.

As an annual sponsored sleep out, Sleep Easy is a great chance for people to raise awareness while also raising vital funds to support YMCA Northumberland’s preventative work with vulnerable young people.

Every day 168 people are at risk of homelessness across England and Wales. At YMCA Northumberland they support young people through their regular youth drop-in session, detached work and targeted programmes. They work on preventing youth homelessness by providing advice and support, and working to tackle the root causes of homelessness. All money raised from the Sleep Easy event will go towards supporting this important work. Participants brave the cold, sleep in a cardboard shelter for one night and get sponsored for their efforts.

To enable people to come together and share this experience, YMCA Northumberland will be holding a community Sleep Easy event from 7pm on Friday

10th to 7am on Saturday 11th March, at Ashington A.F.C. However, for anyone who is unable to attend, there’s also an option for groups or workplaces to organise their own event, or for individuals to campout in unconventional places around their home or garden. Participating in this event is straightforward! Grab a sleeping bag, build a cardboard fort and go somewhere other than your bed to sleep, such as your garden, living room, hallway, or another safe location.

This year there’s also a Sleep Easy Challenge for local businesses, with the team raising the most funds becoming YMCA Northumberland’s Local Business of the Year for 2023.

If you would like to sign up, or find out more information, please contact Clare McKay: clare@ymcanorthumberland.org.uk or visit www.ymcanorthumberland.org.uk/sleep-easy