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Local people helped to over raise £6,000 for YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough at its inaugural ‘Sleep Easy’ event on Friday 18th November 2016.
More than 35 people took part, sleeping out in Peterborough Cathedral for the night to raise funds and raise awareness of the hardship which young, homeless people endure on a night rough sleeping.
The money raised doubled the charity’s original target of £3,000 for the first event in the city.
Jonathan Martin, YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Chief Executive, said: “Sleep Easy went better than we expected for our first event. We were delighted with the response and I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who took part and spent the night out with us.
“We hope that everyone left with the key message that made us plan this event, which is to truly experience how difficult it is to endure homelessness.”
YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough has operated in the area since 1852, and provides services for over 450 residents a year, including practical help for young people in crisis.
This fundraising event saw participants sleeping on DIY cardboard beds from 7pm to 7am. All participants paid an entry fee of £10 that will contribute to the much-needed funds to help homeless young people at YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.
Clare Reeves, a participant at Sleep Easy, said: “YMCA’s Sleep Easy was very humbling for me. It was an amazing experience and made me appreciate how lucky I am to have a warm house and comfy bed as others are not so fortunate.”
YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough is a part of a federation of 113 independent YMCAs, forming the oldest and largest youth charity in the world.
If you are interested in making a donation or volunteering for YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough please visit www.theymca.org.uk
Photos from Mark Briggs.