Sleep Easy is a campaign to combat the problem of youth homelessness. Last year, with your generous support I raised £200. But we can all do so much more and this year, with your help, I want to smash this target. 

But the night is about so much more than money. 

At Sleep Easy, I felt fortunate to be able to spend the night (the coldest of the year!) with another 150 brave souls, and this helped pass the time. But people sleeping rough each night aren't so lucky.  It made me better understand the 'small things' that people who are street homeless experience day to day. Whether it's the cold. The wind. The lack of privacy & security. Feeling cut off and isolated. Or the harshness & discomfort of sleeping on a cold floor with cardboard sticking into my back. 

It made me notice all of it. It made me feel vulnerable and exposed. It made me so thankful that I have a warm home and a comfy bed to  sleep in each night. It made me despair that so many people still have to go without.  

4 years ago, I was homeless with nowhere to go and needed YMCA's help. Without their support, I am not sure where I would have ended up. I doubt I would have had the courage and stability to be able to return to work for the YMCA and do for so many other unfortunate people, what YMCA staff did for me all those years ago. 

As a Support Worker for the YMCA, I see where the vital money raised from Sleep Easy goes. It does not fund 'admin' like some fundraising events; all of the proceeds goes on improving the quality of life for our residents - each and every penny of it. 

The money raised from last year's 'Sleep Easy' event has helped: upgrade 13 self-contained flats at our Foyer project; upgrade the lounge at our Peaks Lane hostel to make it feel more like 'home' for residents; purchase a fridge-freezer for each of our 72 rooms at Peaks Lane to encourage residents to cook and eat healthily; provide a 'meals fund' for residents experiencing financial hardship so that they never have to go hungry; providing mental health support for residents who do not meet the criteria for the 'At One' project; and providing a 'Home Starter' pack (Microwave, kettle, toaster etc.) for our Foyer residents and essential items for our Peaks Lane residents.

Please do get involved (and come to the event itself!) and donate where you can. It really does help the people who need it most. 

Thank you.