Sleep Easy 2015
Friday 30th January 2015 – Grimsby, Freshney Place – 6pm-6am
YMCA HUMBER’S flagship fundraiser, Sleep Easy, returns to Grimsby’s Freshney Place Shopping Centre for the 2015 edition of the event on Friday 30thJanuary between 6pm and 6am.
The charity’s mammoth sleep-over will be returning to the popular North East Lincolnshire venue after a phenomenal event in 2014 that attracted a record number of 80 fundraisers to sleep out in the shopping centre car park.
Over £32,000 was raised across the Humber Region through Sleep Easy 2014, which allows YMCA Humber and its partner agencies to support the needs of homeless young people in the area.
That figure means that Sleep Easy has generated over £100,000 of funds during its four-year tenure and organisers are hopeful that will continue into the landmark fifth campaign.
Jonathan Byrne, Communications Coordinator for YMCA Humber will be taking part in his fifth Sleep Easy and is looking forward to another successful event.
He said: “Sleep Easy has really entered the public conscious and it shows how the lengths the people of the Humber Region will go to, to support those less fortunate than themselves.
“To still be able to attract the number of fundraisers we do and the amount of money we raise is nothing short of a phenomenal effort from everyone concerned across the area.
“Our event at Freshney Place in Grimsby in 2014 was our most popular one yet in the town and it was easy to see why.
“The support we received from staff and tenants at the centre was excellent and our rough sleepers really generated a community spirit as they slept rough for one night…so others don’t have to.”
He continued: “And the money raised really is making a difference to homeless young people’s lives within this region.
“Each night we support 98 young people through our housing projects and the number of positive stories emanating from those projects continues to grow.
“In the last 12 months alone we have had young people who came to YMCA Humber from difficult backgrounds and situations that, with the help of dedicated support staff, have got their lives back on track and have moved onto university, their own independent living and full-time employment.”
Dave Carlile represents Harbour Place, who are one of YMCA Humber’s Sleep Easy partners in Grimsby and he concurred with the success of the Freshney Place venue.
He added: “Freshney Place car park was an excellent venue choice and it really made the participants feel eager and competitive to raise funds.
“The evening went very well and the support of Freshney Place staff was excellent – everyone was so enthusiastic to help such a great cause.”
Amanda Austin, Centre Director at Freshney Place commented, “Following such a successful charity event at the beginning of the year, we’re absolutely thrilled to be hosting the 2015 Sleep Easy event again at Freshney Place Shopping Centre.
“80 people slept rough overnight in our car park to raise money for participating charities and it was a great feel good evening for all involved, with several of the centre team and our retailers taking part and donating much needed sandwiches and hot drinks.
“We encourage you to visit the YMCA website to register and join us on Friday 30th January to show your support for this fantastic cause!”
Registrations for Sleep Easy 2015 are now open and Jonathan is urging the public to once again get behind the campaign.
“Support for Sleep Easy has been nothing short of magnificent but we want the fifth year of the event to be bigger and better than ever before,” he stated.
“Times are tough for young people across the region, as well as the charities that are there to help them but together we can do our bit to get them the support and accommodation they need to transform their lives around.”
To register for Sleep Easy 2015, please click on the link here. For more information on the event, please call Jonathan Byrne on (01472) 693388 or emailsleepeasy@gcymca.org.uk.
Best Wishes
YMCA Humber’s Sleep Easy Team