FROM TV STAR TO ROUGH SLEEPER

Apprentice winner Joseph helps the homeless:

While many of us were tucked up in warm cosy beds, a group of hardy fundraisers had a night in a cardboard box under the stars to raise awareness of homelessness in the city. YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough held the first Sleep Easy night on Friday in the Cathedral Precincts, with more than 35 people experiencing a night in the open, to find out what it is like to be homeless.

More than £ 6,000 was raised, with volunteers including TV’s The Apprentice winner Joseph Valente, city councillors and other residents.

A number of staff from Priestgate based PR agency Athene were those who wrapped up warm in cardboard boxes to take part.

Curtis Doyle, one of the workers, said: “I decided to get involved because it would not only be an interesting and eye-opening experience, but an opportunity to raise money for a worthwhile cause at the same time.

“The event itself really 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.”

Colleague Claire Grant added: “We only had to spend one night sleeping rough, and it really brought home the conditions that people have to survive day in and day out.

“The work that the YMCA does is vital to supporting those in crisis and we know that the fantastic amount of money raised will help ensure more people have a roof over their head this winter.”

Clare Reeves, a participant at Sleep Easy, said: “YMCA’s Sleep Easy was very humbling for me.

“It was an amazing experience and made me appreciate how lucky I am to have a warm house and comfy bed as others are not so fortunate.”

Jonathan Martin, YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Chief Executive, said: “Sleep Easy went even better than we expected for our first event. We were delighted with the response and I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who took part and spent the night out with us.

“We hope that everyone left with the key message that made us plan this event, which is to truly experience how difficult it is to endure homelessness .”

YMCA Cambridgeshire & Peterborough has operated in the area since 1852, and provides services for over 450 residents a year, including practical help for young people in crisis.

If you are interested in making a donation or volunteering for YMCA Cambridgeshire& Peterborough please visit www.theymca.org.uk

‘The key message is how difficult homelessness is’ Jonathan Martin

The group try to stay warm

Some of the volunteers taking part

Thousands were raised during the night