Biggest ever LandAid SleepOut raises over £500,000 to battle youth homelessness

LandAid’s biggest ever SleepOut has seen nearly 1,300 property professionals from across the UK come together to raise more than £500,000 to support young people experiencing homelessness.

On 2 March, hundreds braved the cold overnight across seven city locations – Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Glasgow, Leeds, London and Manchester – with hundreds more sleeping out at home.

Each region has been raising funds that will support a local project having a huge impact on its community. These include St Basils in Birmingham, 1625 Independent People in Bristol, YMCA Trinity in Cambridge, Latch in Leeds and the Salford Foyer in Manchester.

These projects provide accommodation, employment opportunities and wider peer-to-peer support for young people who are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness in the future, who have nowhere else to turn.

The LandAid SleepOut was supported by headline sponsor Knight Frank, alongside regional sponsors Prologis in Birmingham, TFT in Bristol, Bidwells in Cambridge, Hollis in Glasgow, HBD in Leeds and Addleshaw Goddard in Manchester.

Venues across the country were generously donated by venue sponsors Birmingham City Council, La Salle Investment Management in Bristol, Cambridge University Rugby Football Club, Landsec in Glasgow and Leeds, British Land in London and Sale Rugby Football Club in Salford.

The event also received cardboard boxes from Crown Workspace for everyone to sleep on and Hunter Ops provided the signage required for each venue.

Paul Morrish, LandAid’s chief executive, said: “Thank you so much to everyone who braved the freezing cold and slept out during the biggest LandAid SleepOut ever. It is amazing to see the event grow year on year. The support we have received across the country has been incredible, with seven locations, as well as those sleeping out at home, coming together for one very important cause.

“While the experience gives everyone a very good idea of how tough sleeping outside is, one night outside does not replicate the true reality of rough sleeping that faces thousands of young people all over the UK. Unfortunately, we know that this number is continuing to grow. With the efforts of hundreds from the property industry, we have raised enough funds to make a real difference by providing safe and secure places for young people who can now focus on building a brighter future, rather than worrying about their night-to-night sleeping spot.”

Donations are still being accepted for the 2023 SleepOut. Click here to donate.

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Photo © Richard Wilson, courtesy of Redwood Consulting