Sleep out to raise funds for youth homelessness charity
A sleep out in Temple Quay this week will be raising funds for a Bristol youth homelessness charity.
The annual #Brizzz Sleep Out on Thursday 24 November will be raising money for award-winning charity 1625 Independent People – which supports young people in the South West aged 16-25 to build independent lives.
The event is part of the National Sleep Out Campaign run in partnership with “End Youth Homelessness”. Each November 12 sleep out events take place all over the UK aimed at highlighting the rising number of young people facing homelessness while fundraising for the charities that work to support them.
Last year the event raised over £28,000 and this year is aiming to attract attention from local businesses in the Temple Quay area. It is estimated some 83,000 young people face homelessness every year.
Bristol Cabinet Member for Homes and Communities, Councillor Paul Smith will be sleeping out to support the charity’s work.
He said: “This is a great organisation which I have been involved with since 1988. I am sleeping out to show my support for the fantastic work they do with young people, providing homes, training and support.”
Around 150 people are expected to attend, including teams from local businesses who have already raised over £11k towards the charity’s £28k target .
An eco-friendly meal will be prepared and served by FoodCycle Bristol, with treats donated by traders from Temple Square Market and cake from Tiffin Time. Bristol’s Yurt Lush will open its doors early to provide free breakfast for those going straight to work. Entertainment on the night will be provided free by local artists some of whom have experienced homelessness themselves.
The event is stewarded by 1625ip staff and community volunteers, with overnight security provided by Metropolis Security and the cardboard needed to ward off damp from the concrete floor is donated by T&G Woodware.
People can still register to sleep out until 21 November 1625ip.co.uk/sleepout2016 or to donate visit www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/1625independentpeople/sleepout16 or TEXT BRZZ88 £2/£5/£10 to 70070
