BURTON Albion Chairman Ben Robinson is urging as many people as possible to support the 2020 YMCA Sleepout.
The annual event that raises money to help the homeless is usually held at the Pirelli Stadium but due to Covid-19 restrictions has a new format this year.
Ben Robinson is the President of Burton YMCA and is asking people to again support the fundraising effort.
He said: “Burton YMCA supports up to 10,000 people each year with food, furniture, accommodation, family mediation, counselling and homelessness support. Every staff member and volunteer is passionate about their work and believes that everyone deserves to have a safe place to stay and be supported in times of hardship.
“Every year the YMCA organises a big fundraising event which is usually held at the Pirelli Stadium. We ask people to give up their bed for one night only, to sleep in a cardboard box so that others don’t have to.
“This year has been an exceptionally challenging year for the YMCA due to the global pandemic, so we are having to operate the Sleepout in a very different way. With all the new Government regulations we are taking the Sleepout to a new virtual level and asking people to take part, sleeping in their garden, on the kitchen floor, their workplace or on the sofa. Anywhere but their warm bed.
“I am asking you to consider joining in this year and giving up your warm bed for the night. It will be held overnight on Friday, November 6.
“The Sleepout is a thought-provoking experience. I have taken part for many years and I never fail to feel truly humbled by the YMCA’s efforts after a night sleeping in a cardboard box.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to listen to the stories of the people they help and the many lives they change.
“I appreciate that this experience isn’t for everyone so it may be you could ask a family member or a friend to do it instead and you could be the first to sponsor them. Alternatively, a donation to the YMCA Sleepout campaign would be gratefully received.
“The charity aims to raise £50,000 with this event this year. Income generation has been significantly affected this year with the cancellation of many fundraising events and demand for all the services has grown so please help if you can.
“Thank you for all of your generous support.”
There is more information available from the YMCA website plus the link for online registration is
https://www.burtonymca.org/sle