Centrepoint houses and supports 830 homeless young people between the ages of 16 and 25 every night.  It has been working in this field since 1969 but there is no doubt this is the hardest economic environment it has ever faced.

The Sleep Out is Centrepoint's flagship fund-raising event.  The purpose of the event is to develop a sense of solidarity between Centrepoint donors and beneficiaries and to generate money so it can maintain and improve vital services.

This event is not a re-creation of homelessness, it is not a tough physical challenge and Centrepoint is not expecting attendees to take risks with personal safety.  It is only asking us to put ourself through some discomfort on a working night and raise money for Centrepoint.

By spending the night in Old Spitalfields Market I will - for one night only - experience the discomfort of trying to sleep on boxes on a hard cold floor amongst the bright lights of the city night and the noise of street cleaners, public transport and late night revelers.  The next day will be back at work - the challenge being to carry on a 'normal' day after spending time in such conditions.

Many thanks for your support.

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