It’s that time of year again where I’ll be braving the elements and spending a night sleeping rough, so others don’t have to.

Once again, I’m incredibly proud to be joined by my daughter, now 11 years old, who continues to take on this challenge alongside me. Seeing her commitment to helping others makes this experience even more meaningful.

Although Sleep Easy never gets easier, it becomes more powerful and rewarding each year. As I bed down under the stars, I reflect on the young people and families our YMCA has supported, and the lives that are transformed because of events like this.

Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing incredible achievements. Young people progressing to university, residents gaining meaningful employment, and many moving on to homes of their own. These milestones represent more than statistics, they represent resilience and brighter futures.

Our community work continues to grow and evolve. We now support hundreds of individuals and families each year, and we are especially proud of the continued impact of our Resilience Hub and Wilmorton Community Gardens which are central places for those facing poverty, at risk of homelessness, or struggling with educational attainment. It provides access to activities, opportunities, and support that builds resilience, improves physical and mental wellbeing, and increases skills to empower people to move forward with confidence.

Lives are truly transformed through the work of YMCA Derbyshire, and I feel honoured to be taking on Sleep Easy to once again play a small part in raising the vital funds needed to continue this life-changing support.

If you are able to donate, or simply offer words of encouragement - thank you, it really does make a difference.

On behalf of myself and everyone at YMCA Derbyshire — thank you. Together, we are transforming lives.