FoodCycle Cambridge's Sleep Easy 2017 page
Alexandra Collis is raising money for YMCA Trinity Group
Participants: Jane Holmes, Lindsey O'Donnell, Adam Tibbles, Ramya Gurunathan
Story
Over 3,500 people sleep rough in the UK every night. Hidden homelessness is a major problem in the UK with over 80,000 young people face homelessness every year, three times official figures.
Homelessness is defined by the Government as ‘having no permanent home to go to’. The reality is you don’t have to be on the streets to be considered homeless, many homeless young people ‘sofa surf’ relying on the goodwill of others for a bed for the night and in some cases many years.
Imagine how you would cope if you became homeless through no fault of your own. Maybe you were fleeing an arranged marriage? Or escaping from physical, mental or sexual abuse? Or your parents have found a new partner who simply doesn’t want you around? Where would you go? How isolated would you feel? With limited access to support and financial help serious issues can often occur, but it doesn’t have to be like this.
We're joining other fundraisers sleeping out overnight on 3rd March to raise awareness and money to support the excellent work the YMCA does to support young people in this situation. We'll be supplying hot food and drinks to everyone taking part too.