Organised by Story
Even before coronavirus hit, more than 4.2 million children in the UK were locked in poverty.
Now, vulnerable children and their families have reached breaking point. But with your help we can change things.
Ditch the duvet. Banish the blanket. And pack away the pillow.
On Friday 21 August 2020, join forces with family, friends or colleagues to raise money and spend the night in the most unusual place in your home.
You could rough it in the garden, pitch a tent under your table, or bunk down in the bathroom. There'll be virtual entertainment and fundraising fun on the night, too, bringing homes together across the UK.
Wherever you sleep, you'll help vulnerable children and families who are in desperate need. Who are worried about their future. And who don't know when they'll feel safe and happy again.
Sign up for our Boycott your Bed challenge event and you'll be part of a national movement to help vulnerable children and families.
This is Joshua's story.
On Sunday 18th September 2018, Joshua woke up feeling unwell and filled with a cold. With the promise to stay in bed to recover, his family let him stay home whilst they nipped to the local shop. As his family left, they had no idea that it would be the last time they would go into their house.
Despite all appliances in the house being off, a faulty fuse caused an electrical fire that left Joshua and his family homeless.
"I just ran out. I had no shoes on and the only thing I grabbed was my sisters blanket. In that moment I knew it would make her feel better."
I was so scared, and I felt so guilty. I thought it was all my fault. I must have caused this to happen. I had been the reason my house was burning down in front of me."
When Joshua's family returned, they were greeted with the devastating scene.
All their belongings were gone, and the family were told they would not be able to go back into their home. The family moved throughout local caravan sites for 11 weeks until they were able to find and afford a new home.
"At some point through the [first] night I realised I didn't have school clothes for the next day. But then Action for Children came round. They had entire uniforms and shoes for us all. And a change of clothes for my baby brother Noah, who was two at the time."
"We moved every four weeks. That was really hard because my little sister Arielle is autistic, and she freaked out."
"Action for Children gave us lots of help though and she got some lights that helped her. They kept helping us with clothes and food. They also helped mum and dad with the basic things they needed and helped when they could."
After the fire, if there was any noise, even a leaf on the roof, I was terrified. I was scared of the toaster, I couldn't put the kettle on, anything that made noise was too much for me."
With the support of Action for Children, Joshua was able to go straight back to school, and has been receiving ongoing counselling for dealing with the trauma almost a year since the fire. His brother and sisters have been able to attend various group sessions at their local children's centre and are beginning to get their childhoods back.
Without Action for Children, I don't know what we would have done. They made us feel that even though we had lost everything we still had so much."
Help us give children a safe and happy childhood.
