Not for Profit
YMCA Bournemouth's BIG Sleep Easy raised more than £16,000. Image credit: Paul Collins/PC Visuals
Published: October 17, 2023 | Updated: 17th October 2023
YMCA Bournemouth’s BIG Sleep Easy 2023 raised £16,516.78 to support the charity’s work supporting homeless people in Dorset.
The event saw more than 80 people from 14 different local businesses constructing their own shelters then spending a night sleeping under stars to raise awareness of the of the harsh conditions facing the homeless community throughout the year.
Since first launching, the BIG Sleep Easy has raised more than £100,000 to support YMCA Bournemouth’s work.
This year the highest individual amount raised was by Shelley Barker, who has raised more than £1,000.
According to study from the charity Shelter, around one in every 366 people across the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area, combining those sleeping rough with those in sheltered accommodation.
The team’s shelters were inspected by the High Sheriff of Dorset, with YMCA Bournemouth CEO Gareth Sherwood and Dorset Chamber CEO Ian Girling then judging their efforts.
After all was said and done, Barchester Care Home Parley Place took the prize for most creative shelter.
Sheena Dayman, Events Manager of YMCA Bournemouth said: “BIG Sleep Easy always makes me proud of the business community we are so fortunate to have in Dorset.
“The dedication, teamwork and generosity of the people who take part in this event is a heartwarming reminder of what we are able to achieve when we come together.
“I want to thank Talbot Heath School for providing the use of their premises for the event this year, and SUEZ recycling for collecting the cardboard shelters to be recycled.
“Finally, a huge thank you to every person who participated in the event, and the businesses they were representing. Without their efforts in supporting BIG Sleep Easy, it simply would not be possible to raise this funding to support our work with vulnerable people in our area.”
You can donate to YMCA Bournemouth’s BIG Sleep Easy 2023 at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ymcabbigsleepeasy2023 until 1st December 2023.
To find out more or if you wish to take part in the BIG Sleep Easy 2024, please contact Sheena Dayman at 07824333505 or via email at sheena.dayman@ymcabournemouth.org.uk.
