YMCA Norfolk sleep out raises homeless issue
 By Keith Morris
Over 20 people slept in cardboard boxes outside the YMCA on St Giles St in Norwich last night (January 30), despite freezing temperatures and snow on the ground, to draw attention to the problem of homelessness.
Organised by YMCA Norfolk, the Sleep Easy event was one of a dozen or so similar events at different YMCAs around the country.
YMCA Norfolk chief executive Tim Sweeting was joined by staff, supporters, friends and even a guide dog, who accompanied YMCA trustee Rev Simon Stokes on the sleep out.
 The sleep out took place in a car park behind the current YMCA on St Giles St in Norwich on the site where YMCA Norfolk plans to build 40 self-contained flats for young homeless people.
Participants, were sponsored to help build the flats and support the work of YMCA Norfolk, which provides a warm bed to 231 young people in supported accommodation across the county each night. They hope to have raised several thousands of pounds with their efforts.
The rough sleepers were kept warm by building shelters out of cardboard boxes, provided by local businesses Hollinger Print and Hussey Knights, as well as sleeping bags and plastic sheeting and lots of tea, coffee and hot soup.
 The whole 12-hour Sleep Easy was covered by a live web cam so that supporters and families could make sure the sleepers did not sneak inside into the warm.
At the end, Tim Sweeting said: “I feel tired but elated. It was a fantastic night which was a great success in raising the issue of homelessness. We will be looking to do it again next year and hope we get even more people along. Some managed to sleep and were snoring but most of us laughed our way through the night to keep the spirits up.”
 The event was well covered by local media with TV, radio and newspapers reporters all dropping in during the night.
Sleep Easy organizer, Susie Knights, said: “I haven’t slept a wink and am told it got down to as low as -4 degrees.
“It has given me a real sense of achievement, but remember that I have only slept outside for a single night. We have done this to draw attention to the fact that there are people in Norfolk doing this every night of the year.”
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.
YMCA Norfolk patron, the Bishop of Norwich Graham James, said: "The 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."
 Watch out for a video of the Sleep Easy coming soon.
Pictured are rough sleepers at the YMCA Norfolk Sleep Easy event.
You can still sponsor participants by making an online donation at any one of the following links.
www.justgiving.com/Nickblanch
www.justgiving.com/Denise-Hunter
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