Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Thanks for visiting my YMCA Sleep Easy 2017  fundraising page. I'm  raise money for our 2017 Sleep Easy fundraising event, where i will brave the cold and sleep in a cardboard box for one night to raise awareness and attract sponsorship for a worthwhile cause. Sleep Easy is not only a challenging and eye-opening experience, but an opportunity to have fun, make friends, and raise money to help eradicate youth homelessness. Please see our website for more information on how we support young people www.ymca-fg.org and search 'sleep easy'.

Meet Amy…

Amy is one of the many young people we have supported through our dedicated housing programmes at YMCA Southampton. Here, you can read her story.

Amy was living with her mum, step-dad, and six other children. In 2014, one of Amy’s sisters became pregnant, and Amy was left to share a room with her – and the newborn baby. Due to the overcrowding, tensions ran high, and after an argument, Amy felt she had no choice but to leave home, and move in with her father. Despite the fact that Amy was still attending college – she found she could not sleep, as her father and his partner would often argue late into the night – keeping her awake. At college, she was tired, and unable to pay attention. Her father and his partner suggested Amy move out, as their home environment was having a negative effect on her.

Amy sent an application to the City Council, who placed in her emergency accommodation before she was moved to the YMCA. Since then, Amy has gone from strength to strength.

“The YMCA has done everything for me,” she says. “They put a roof over my head, supported me to live independently, helped me with my budgeting, and helped me to improve my life.”

We’re so pleased to announce that Amy is now employed by the YMCA, and is an asset to our team.

“I love my job!” she says

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