YMCA Sleep Easy set to take place in Norwich
 2010: Armed with sleeping bags, warm clothes and hot drinks, staff, supporters and friends from YMCA Norfolk will be sleeping out under the stars all night on Saturday January 30 to raise awareness of homelessness and to raise vital funds for homeless people in Norfolk.
Participants, including chief executive Tim Sweeting, will be sponsored to help support the work of YMCA Norfolk, which provides a warm bed to 231 young people in supported accommodation across the county each night.
The rough sleepers will build themselves cardboard shelters with boxes provided by local businesses Hollinger Print and Hussey Knights, but that is all that will protect them from the elements.
YMCA residents, many of whom have themselves spent nights on the streets before they were given supported accommodation, will have a bird’s eye view of the cardboard city. It will be set up on the Bethel Street site of the proposed new £4.2m flats for homeless young people which YMCA Norfolk is proposing to build at the back of the current St Giles YMCA.
 There will be a competition for the best cardboard shelter and sponsors of participants will be able to keep a close eye on proceedings and makes sure nobody sneaks off somewhere warm as there will be a live webcam direct from the event which can be viewed at www.ymca-norfolk.org.uk
The sleep-out coincides with 14 other similar events being held by local YMCAs across the country and also takes place during Poverty and Homelessness Action Week (January 30 to February 7).
Last year, according to official government statistics, Norwich was found to have almost as many rough sleepers as Liverpool or Manchester.
YMCA Norfolk chief executive, Tim Sweeting, said: “We are seeing a greater demand for our services than we can house and our response has been to seek to develop a 40-bed accommodation unit on Bethel Street to meet the increased demand we are experiencing.
“We hope that the Sleep Easy event will draw attention to the issue locally and also help myself, and others who take part, put themselves in the shoes of the homeless and the conditions they can face on a daily basis.”
YMCA Norfolk patron, the Bishop of Norwich Graham James, said: "YMCA's work in Norwich and Norfolk gives dignity and respect to many people in danger of isolation and sleeping rough on our streets. This campaign highlights the importance of that work. Our city is more compassionate because YMCA is at work here."
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