Representatives from businesses across South Yorkshire are being invited to sleep rough for the region’s youth homeless charity Roundabout at its eighth annual Sleep Out event on Friday 8th November.
The event, sponsored by Henry Boot and Sharp Consultancy, will take place at 92 Burton Rd in Kelham Island. It aims to raise funds to prevent homelessness becoming a reality for vulnerable young people in South Yorkshire by encouraging supporters to gain sponsorship for experiencing a glimpse into what a night sleeping rough could be like.
In addition to the two event sponsors, representatives from CMS Law, Yorkshire Building Society, Fenti Design & Digital Marketing Agency, Jump Inc, Hallam FM and PM Property Lawyers have already signed up to take part.
PM Property Lawyers have participated in Sleep Out for the last two years, with team members growing in number. This year an 18-strong team has signed up to take part.
Susan Clegg, marketing manager for PM Property Lawyers, said: “I took part in Sleep Out last year and I’m really looking forward to doing it again. We’re sending our biggest ever team from PM Property Lawyers and it’s fantastic to see how support for Roundabout keeps growing.
“Everyone who took part in 2018 is doing it again if they can and that’s really helped to spread the word and get people to volunteer. We’ve done quite a lot to support Roundabout over the last few years and the team here know just how necessary this charity is and what a difference it makes to young lives.”
Sarah Thornton, training manager at PM Property Lawyers, said: “I’ve never done anything like this before, but it’s such a great cause I’m ready to give it a go.”
Ben Keegan, Roundabout’s CEO, said: “We would like to encourage even more businesses in Sheffield to take part in this challenge that is a real test of endurance and mental strength, as well as being a great team-building opportunity.
“While Sleep Out can’t truly replicate what it’s like to be lonely, frightened and homeless the funds raised can help us continue with our homeless prevention work, drop-in advice services and our ground-breaking Peer Education programme in schools. Ultimately, we want to help young people avoid ever having to experience homelessness.”
While a tough, cold night on a hard warehouse floor lies in store for tenacious participants, there is also team entertainment and refreshments available to help prepare for the challenge.
Proceedings will kick off at 8pm with speeches from Roundabout representatives before Sheffield-based Unbeatable Energy, run by Steve Rivers, will get rough sleepers warmed up with an energetic boomwhacker workshop.
The session will see participants furnished with tuned percussion tubes to create amazing patterns that fuse harmony with rhythm and build team spirit, to help with preparations to try and get some sleep from midnight.
Ben Graney, business director at Sharp Consultancy, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring Roundabout’s Sleep Out 2019. We began supporting Roundabout back in 2017, and have always been impressed with the great work they do and the passion they put into their projects and daily work.
“Youth homelessness is a serious issue, and one that does not potentially get the press it needs in order for the issue to be tackled effectively. The local community matters to us and the Sleep Out is a terrific local event, and one that we are proud to be a part of.”
Melissa Walsh, communications and marketing coordinator at Henry Boot PLC, said: “After the success Roundabout’s Bangers and Cash charity car rally last year, we were keen to continue our support in helping prevent youth homelessness in our city. By sponsoring the latest Sleep Out challenge we are working together to help young people access the support they need and hopefully make a real difference to their lives.”
Registration for Sleep Out is now open online at roundaboutsleepout.co.uk costing £20 and participants are asked to raise a minimum of £150 through sponsorship.
Roundabout has been supporting vulnerable young people in Sheffield for over 40 years by providing shelter, support and life skills. Through a variety of services, the charity aims to support and empower young people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, to learn the necessary skills they need to become independent.
