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Join YMCA to support the homeless as ‘Sleep Easy’ returns for 2017 in Peterborough
Join YMCA to support the homeless as ‘Sleep Easy’ returns for 2017 in Peterborough

YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough is calling on local people to take part in its annual ‘Sleep Easy’ fundraising event to raise awareness of sleeping rough and raise funds to support young, homeless people in Peterborough.

The event will take place on Friday 29th September 2017 from 7pm – 7am. Participants brave the cold for one night and sleep in makeshift cardboard box shelters in the grounds of the iconic Peterborough Cathedral.  

Jonathan Martin, YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Chief Executive, said: “‘Sleep Easy’ is a great way to raise awareness for young homeless people, while experiencing a fraction of what many of the young people we work with have been through.”

Curtis, who took part in the event last year, said his experience felt like a community coming together “We slept in the cathedral grounds, the local mosque brought chai tea and snacks, local musicians played for us and the Peterborough Soup Kitchen kept us going with soup. There wasn’t much sleeping, it was cold and not all that comfortable – but we could get up in the morning and go home. The thought of experiencing that every night, alone, is difficult to get your head around.”


Those involved in ‘Sleep Easy’ 2017 are provided with food, tea and coffee, entertainment to keep spirits up and cardboard boxes to make a shelter.

There is an entry fee of £10 and all are encouraged to seek sponsorship from friends and family. Those registering before Monday 31st July will receive a free ‘Sleep Easy’ beanie. Children under 16 are free, accompanied by an adult 18+ with parents’ permission. All funds raised will go towards providing support packages for residents in YMCA supported accommodation at The Cresset in Bretton, Peterborough.

Last year’s event raised £6,500 towards providing such support packages. The event was supported by Apprentice winner Joseph Valente and his team at ImpraGas as well as local Councillors Keith Sharp and Richard Ferris, Miss Catwalk Perfect UK, Peterborough Soup Kitchen, Ausani Islamic Centre, NACRO, Athene Communications, Ace Tech Training & Business Development and Skanska.

If you are a local business and would like to support the event please get in touch with a member of our fundraising team.

To register yourself or your team to take part in Sleep Easy, please visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sleep-easy-2017-peterborough-tickets-33494220114?aff=PressRelease

If you are unable to spend the night sleeping rough but would like to make a donation please visit https://mydonate.bt.com/events/sleep-easy-2017

For more information please contact our Fundraising Team, via email: fundraising@theymca.org.uk or call 01733 373188.

YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough is part of a federation of 113 independent YMCAs, forming the oldest and largest youth charity in the world. Last year, YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough provided over 450 young people with warm, safe and stable accommodation.