We will be sleeping out on the 3rd October in Edinburgh this year come sleet, snow  (probably very likely) or shine (less likely) to say something about the issue of youth homelessness in the UK. Tonight, over 100,000 young people will find themselves on the street. 1 in 7 of those experiencing such homelessness will have been physically or sexually abused and 1 in 3 of those vulnerable youngsters will go on to try to commit suicide. Action for Children thinks this is unacceptable, and I do too. Every year, thousands from the business and technology community spend a night exposed to the elements to support of Action for Children's work to help prevent youth homelessness through sleeping out at Byte Night. Last year, Byte Night raised a staggering £1million to allow Action for Children to continue their work supporting over 300,000 of the UK's young children, carers, parents and families.

A donation of just £5 could pay for emergency overnight support for a young person living on the street. For a previously homeless young person, £10 can buy a set of pots and pans to help them start to build their own, safe home. By donating £18, you could pay for a warm shower and hygiene kit to help a young person prepare for interviews, allowing them employment opportunities after a time spent homeless. Every donation you make will go directly towards combating the root causes of youth homelessness.