Charities biggest fundraiser of 2024 generates vital support for vulnerable people in Bournemouth and beyond
YMCA Bournemouth’s BIG Sleep Easy 2024 has raised a total of £11,993 (Including Gift Aid) toward the charity’s work supporting homeless people in Dorset.
45 people from 19 different local businesses constructed their own shelters and spent a chilly Saturday night (12th Oct) 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 conducted by charity Shelter in 2023 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.[i]
Philip Warr, Deputy Lieutenant of Dorset and CEO of YMCA Bournemouth Dr Gareth Sherwood judged the structures on Saturday night. Lorraine and Mike Stanley won the BIG Sleep Easy Trophy for their honeymoon suite, having just got married on Thursday 10th October in Bournemouth. The team from Lester Aldridge has, to date, raised the highest amount of over £1,600.
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 2024 at https://justgiving.com/campaign/ymcabbigsleepeasy2024 until 1st December 2024.
To find out more or if you wish to take part in the BIG Sleep Easy 2025, please contact Sheena Dayman at 07824 333505 or via email at sheena.dayman@ymcabournemouth.org.uk.
The Sleep Easy in 2025 will be the last business Sleep Easy for a while.
Sheena shall be retiring in December of 2025, after 18 years of service to the YMCA and our community.
Please consider taking part in 2025 and giving Sheena the send-off that she deserves.
Pictures of the BIG Sleep Easy 2024 will be available here https://www.ymcabournemouth.org.uk/housing/sleep-easys-2024/
[i] Statistics from Shelter, January 2023
