A charity in Crewe is holding its third sleep out this March in conjunction with similar events up and down the country.
The event is being held at Crewe Market to raise funds for YMCA Crewe, which supports more than 100 individuals and families in the town every day.
YMCA provides accommodation, health and wellbeing support, access to training and employment, as well as free after school clubs and holiday activities.
To enable the charity to continue providing this support, each year they organise a sponsored sleep out where local individuals, businesses and community groups come together to raise money and awareness for local people experiencing homelessness.
This year, the sleep out will take place on Friday 10th March – and other YMCAs across England and Wales will be also holding sleep outs on the same night.
Between them, they have raised more than £1.5million through these events, and supported tens of thousands of people at risk of homelessness.
Lisa Cormack from YMCA Crewe said: “The YMCA Crewe sponsored sleep out is the biggest event in our fundraising calendar, not just for the vital income it provides, but for the awareness it raises of our work in Crewe.
“Unlike many other YMCAs, we choose to host our sleep out inside the Market Hall rather than outside, as this is a better reflection of the experience of many of the individuals we support.
“Our residents are more likely to have sofa surfed, or stayed in unsafe, temporary accommodation, than spent any long periods of time sleeping rough.
“It is by no means an easy challenge though, and this year we’ll be in the Market Shed behind the hall – so while we might have a roof it’s going to be cold!”
Lisa added: “This is our third sleep out and the response from participants is always fantastic, with many coming back every year.
“We’re sure this year’s event is going to be a huge success, and help sustain our work supporting people at risk of homelessness in 2023 and beyond.”
You can book your place at YMCA Crewe’s sponsored sleep out, at ymcacrewe.org.uk/sleepout2023
