YMCA Bournemouth’s BIG Sleep Easy 2024 has raised a total of £11,993 and counting toward the charity’s work supporting homeless people across Dorset.

45 people from 19 different local businesses constructed their own shelters and spent a chilly Saturday night sleeping under the stars to raise awareness of the harsh conditions facing the homeless community all year round.

To date, the BIG Sleep Easy has raised more than £110,000 to support homeless people in the local area and beyond.

A study from charity Shelter in 2023 estimated that roughly one in 366 people across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area are homeless – including those sleeping rough and in sheltered accommodation.

Philip Warr, deputy lieutenant of Dorset, judged the structures at the event alongside Dr Gareth Sherwood, CEO of YMCA Bournemouth.

Lorraine and Mike Stanley won the BIG Sleep Easy Trophy for their honeymoon suite, having just got married a few days prior in Bournemouth.

The team from Lester Aldridge has raised the highest amount to date at over £1,600.

This was the penultimate BIG Sleep Easy for Sheena Dayman, events manager at YMCA Bournemouth, who’s set to retire in December 2025 after 18 years of service.

“BIG Sleep Easy always makes me proud of the business community we’re so fortunate to have in Dorset,” she said.

“The dedication, teamwork and generosity of the people who take part in this event is a heartwarming reminder of what we’re 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 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 wouldn’t be possible to raise this funding to support our work with vulnerable people in our area.”

Donations are still being accepted until 1 December 2024 as YMCA Bournemouth prepares for next year’s event – “the last for a while”.

• To contribute, visit justgiving.com/campaign/ymcabbigsleepeasy2024