Martin Lewis-Stevenson is among the participants in the YMCA Northampton sleepout.
A GROUP of brave and community-spirited folk are preparing to spend a night under the stars at Northamptonshire Cricket Club to raise funds and awareness for YMCA Northampton.
The charity, which supports care-experienced young people living on its campus, is hosting its first ever Sleepout. And there is still time to join them.
The event takes place overnight on March 27, ending by 7am the following morning. It is a first for Northampton and the efforts of the participants will directly support the young people at the YMCA, said the charity’s fundraising manager Lorraine Devereux.
“YMCA Northamptonshire is thrilled to be partnering with Northamptonshire County Cricket Club for our first Sleep Out. Could you give up your bed for the night? Help us fundraise to provide local young people with a safe place to call home, people they can trust and support to fulfil their potential.”
Among those taking part is Martin Lewis-Stevenson, director of Business Times’ publisher Pulse Group Media.
“I slept outside with just a sleeping bag, some cardboard for a mat and a plastic sheet back in November to raise funds for the YMCA MILTON KEYNES,” Martin said. “It was a stark shock and reality check having just roughed it for one night and I promised that I would do it again to raise awareness and funding for Northamptonshire YMCA and the incredible work they do for young people that have run out of options or just need a hand up in life.
“Not everyone has a supportive family life, and in reality, all of us are not too many steps from being homeless if our lives spiral downward due to a sequence of events.”
He raised £2,000 of a grand total of £45,000 from the event in Milton Keynes in November and is looking to repeat the feat for YMCA Northampton.
“The economy is tough right now and I understand that people and businesses alike are finding it hard. I am asking you to help me, help others – I know the businesses and people of Northamptonshire are as concerned about supporting those that fall through the cracks as much as I am.”
Martin has set up a JustGiving page to boost his fundraising total at www.justgiving.com/page/martin-lewis-stevenson-1?utm_source.
There is still time to join Martin and his fellow Sleepout participants. Visit northantsymca.org/nccc-x-ymca-sleepout/for details.
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