First of all, many thanks indeed for your very kind and generous support of the 2019 YMCA Sleep Easy event last Friday evening.
For those of us who participated from the Howard Group, it was encouraging to know that there were many behind us, supporting our fundraising efforts as we slept beneath the stars ! This year we were thankful for a dry night, although it was very cold with frost on the ground (and some sleeping bags) in the morning. It was rather sobering to think that we were just a few of the people sleeping out that night who were able to choose to do this, many of us returning home for hot baths – many others do not have this choice.
I am delighted to say that thanks to your generosity, we have raised a total of £7,745 which equates to £8,592 with gift aid applied. This is a tremendous result, thank you so much!
The YMCA will be putting the funds raised to good use as they continue their invaluable work supporting young people within our city. The funds will help to:
- Fund trained mental health counsellors to run both 1-1 and group sessions. This is a critical and growing need for these young people who invariably come from very challenging environments;
- Supply ‘move on’ packs. When young people leave the YMCA they have nothing to take to a new home (cooking utensils, cutlery, crockery, bedding etc.) . Funds raised on the evening will help to provide these;
- Ensure that young people are ‘job ready’ - many of the residents of YMCA have never had a job. Funds will be used to help them with interview training, preparing a CV and are properly equipped for work.
So once again, thank you so much for your very kind support. I am also passing on a big thank you from the team at YMCA here in Cambridge for your involvement in this year’s event.
