YMCA Bournemouth’s BIG Sleep Easy raises over £16,000 for homelessness in Dorset

Charities biggest fundraiser of 2023 generates vital support for vulnerable people in Bournemouth and beyond. YMCA Bournemouth’s BIG Sleep Easy 2023 has raised a total of £16,516.78 (Including Gift Aid) toward the charity’s work supporting homeless people in Dorset.

Over 80 people from 14 different local businesses constructed their own shelters and spent a brisk Saturday night (14th Oct) sleeping under the stars, to raise awareness of the harsh conditions facing the homeless community all year round.

To date, BIG Sleep Easy has raised more than £100,000 to support homeless people in the local area and beyond. Generous donations have contributed a further £16,516.78 after this year’s event.

A study conducted by charity Shelter estimated that roughly one in 366 people across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole locality are homeless, combining those sleeping rough with those in sheltered accommodation.

The High Sheriff of Dorset inspected each team’s shelters before CEO of YMCA Bournemouth Gareth Sherwood and CEO of Dorset Chamber Ian Girling judged the efforts on Saturday night. Barchester Care Home Parley Place won the BIG Sleep Easy Trophy for most creative shelter, and Shelley Barker has, to date, raised the highest individual amount of over £1,000.

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 HERE 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.