post

Leading regional property investor and developer Howard Group is backing a YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough event that will see local people sleep outside to raise funds and awareness about youth homelessness.

The team at Howard Group will be sleeping in the cold at this year’s Cambridge Sleep Easy on Friday 3 March at St Catharine’s College. Six staff will take part including chief executive officer Nicholas Bewes, William Jewson, Simon Messervy, Will Banks, Robin Lea and Magda Swierczynska. The business has also raised over £1000 for the charity to date.

Nicholas Bewes, CEO at Howard Group, said: “We’re eager to participate in the first YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Sleep Easy and appreciate the importance of raising awareness of the charity’s work.

“We believe that one night really can make a difference to YMCA’s residents and individuals who receive support from the charity.

“As a Cambridge company based in the heart of the city, we see first-hand the growing issue of homelessness on our doorstep. The charity plays an important role in our city and by raising money we can help them support even more young people.”

Jonathan Martin, CEO at YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, said: “It is fantastic to have Howard Group on board with our Sleep Easy this year.

“YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough has enjoyed a close relationship with the team over the years and the support they’re providing is invaluable in helping us to make this event a success.

“We’re now calling on other local businesses to enter a team for the big night. You will not only be part of our local event but also join hundreds of supporters all over the UK for the national YMCA Sleep Easy Week. Together we can make a huge difference for young people.”

The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough event will run from 7pm to 7am and 30 people have already signed up to take part. It is the first event in Cambridge, previous events in Peterborough have raised over £6,500. Supporters who sign up to Sleep Easy are asked to pay an entry fee of £10 as well as additional funds through sponsorship.

The fundraising night is part of the national YMCA Sleep Easy Week that will see supporters from 11 local YMCAs from as far afield as Doncaster, Exeter and Coventry sleep out for the night and raise money YMCA services between Friday 3 and Friday 10 March.

To register your place for this years event please visit Eventbrite. If you can’t take part but would like to make a donation please visit our Justgiving Campaign.