Burton businesses contribute to YMCA’s sleepout success

YMCA Burton completed their 17th Sleepout with more than 200 people taking part – including 40 from the business community.

Participants gave up their beds for the evening to raise awareness and gather donations to support YMCA Burton.

The sleepout is jointly hosted at Burton Albion FC’s Pirelli Stadium and St Modwen’s Church.

The fundraising efforts aim to provide essential support for individuals at risk of homelessness or who have lost their homes, offering assistance to those facing tough times in our community.

Local MP Jacob Collier took part for the second time, joining fellow participants to spend the night under the stars and raise awareness of the impact YMCA Burton has on 12,000 lives each year.

Having been involved in Sleepout for 11 years, taking part once and organising the event for the 10th time, fundraising and partnerships manager, Paula Senior, said: “Each year, I am amazed by the wonderful number of people who join us to spend a night in a cardboard box.

“Having taken part myself in 2014, I was so humbled and moved by my experience and having the opportunity to organise this every year is a privilege.

“We organise Sleepout annually because it allows us to give people the experience of sleeping rough in a safe and controlled setting, offering participants a glimpse of what it’s like for a homeless individual.

“It’s an experience that raises awareness and vital funds, enabling us to continue providing the vital support services that impact on so many lives in our community.

“It’s just one night, after which we can return to a warm, safe home - a single night that can truly make a lifetime of difference for many through the awareness and vital funds raised.”

Jon Cox, financial controller at Willshee’s Waste & Recycling, took part for the first time this year.

He said: “The event was brilliant and very well organised. It was humbling to experience what a homeless person goes through, and it made me appreciate my home comforts.

“A great experience and real sense of achievement - I’ll definitely do it again next year!”

YMCA Burton CEO, Paul Laffey, added: “This year was my 17th Sleepout and it was one of the toughest I have taken part in due to the persistent rain at the churchyard.

“However, I am always humbled by the people that take part and their dedication and support of our work, raising funds for our community.

“Money is still coming in, we are still taking donations and we are hoping to reach our target of 50k. We are so thankful to our supporters, we couldn’t provide the services we offer without their generosity.

“I would also like to give thanks to our headline sponsor Burton & South Derbyshire College and to all the businesses who sponsored a box and to those who donated in other ways to help the event on the night.”

Donate to the sleepout at YMCA’s JustGiving page.

Pictured:  Paul Salt (director at Caxton Mechanical & Electrical), Ed Gee (managing director at Events House), Ben Kelly-Walley (key account manager) and Jon Cox (financial controller at Willshee’s Waste & Recycling)