Dozens sleep rough to help the homeless

Thirty volunteers slept rough in the grounds of Horsham YMCA Football Club last week.
Sleep Easy 2017 in Horsham SUS-170330-162359001Sleep Easy 2017 in Horsham SUS-170330-162359001
Sleep Easy 2017 in Horsham SUS-170330-162359001

It was all part of Sleep Easy 2017 raising awareness of youth homelessness, along with funds for YMCA DownsLink Group’s work in Horsham and Crawley.

Among the ‘rough sleepers’ was Helen Gibbs who said: “We did sleeping out ‘in style’ with plenty of cardboard and warm sleeping bags, but it really brings home the misery of what it must be like to be homeless.”

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YMCA DownsLink Group chief executive Chas Walker said: “We are grateful to all those who slept rough for just one night to raise awareness of youth homelessness.”

Taking part in Sleepy Easy 2017 in Horsham SUS-170330-162347001Taking part in Sleepy Easy 2017 in Horsham SUS-170330-162347001
Taking part in Sleepy Easy 2017 in Horsham SUS-170330-162347001

Horsham District Council chief executive Tom Crowley also joined the sleepout with colleagues Rob Jarvis and Brian Elliott. Mr Crowley said: “Above all, it brought home to us all how dreadful it is that many people across the country don’t do this through choice – they have no other option.”

The fundraising target for Sleep Easy is £40,000. See http://bit.ly/sleepeasy2017.