LandAid’s first-ever virtual SleepOut has raised more than £360,000 to help combat youth homelessness, nearly twice the initial £200,000 target.
The monies raised by the event will help charity projects supporting young homeless people, such as DHI’s East Street Mews development in the South West, St Basils Live and Work Village 2 in the Midlands, WomenCentre in Yorkshire and Depaul’s Safestop project in the North West.
The 608 property professionals who took part and braved the rain and cold outside for the night were joined via livestream by sleep physiologist Steph Romiszewski and survival instructor John Hudson to prepare them for a night in the cold.
Knight Frank, Fiera Real Estate, Prologis and TFT were the headline sponsors for the virtual SleepOut event, together with property sponsors TrustedLand, Howard de Walden and Henry Boot.
LandAid chief executive Paul Morrish said: “A big thank you to everyone who braved the horrible weather and slept out during the LandAid SleepOut. An incredible amount has been raised by professionals from across the property industry. Every penny raised will go towards LandAid’s mission to end youth homelessness.
“This is my third year sleeping out. It’s been almost too cold at times and I did not sleep well. However, these nights sleeping outside do not replicate the true reality of rough sleeping that faces thousands of young people all over the country.
“With the efforts of hundreds across the property industry, we have raised enough funds to be able to make a real difference to those who are young and homeless, by providing safe and secure accommodation.”
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