SASH sleepout team set for another ‘rough’ night (From Gazette & Herald)

SASH sleepout team set for another ‘rough’ night

11:46am Wednesday 13th February 2013 in News By Karen Darley

KIRKBYMOORSIDE residents are preparing for their fifth annual sleepout, having raised more than £10,000 for a homeless charity since the event first got underway.

Kirkbymoorside Sleepouts for the homeless charity SASH started in 2009, and have been the inspiration for SASH Sleepouts being held for the first time this year in Pickering and Northallerton.

Organisers in Kirkbymoorside are now appealing for more individuals, groups and businesses to get involved to raise funds for local homeless young people by sleeping rough in the town on Saturday, March 16.

Scouts, residents and at least four employees of Barclays Bank will be taking part this year along with the town’s auctioneer, Angus Ashworth “The sleepout is great the way for the community comes together for such a good cause,” said Angus.

“This year I’ve agreed to do my bit and join those taking part. I’m sure it will be a worthwhile experience, whatever the weather.”

Kirkbymoorside Sleepout organiser Rhys Thomas said: “We’re delighted that we already have people from previous sleepouts getting involved again, but we are looking for more participants as well as sponsorship and donations from the local community and businesses.

“We’re really proud of our achievement so far, raising £10,000, and we want to build on it this year.”

Funds raised will go to support the charity SASH, which prevents young people from becoming homeless by offering them a room in the home of a volunteer.

A spokesperson for the charity said the ‘Nightstop’ service for 16-24-year-olds ensured young people had somewhere safe to stay in an emergency, thanks to a network of volunteer hosts across the region.

“Hosts provide a bed for the night, an evening meal and breakfast the next day. This gives the young people time to access the help they need to resolve their problems, so that a crisis does not lead to long-term homelessness and unemployment,” she said.

“Youth homelessness in Ryedale, as elsewhere, is very much a hidden problem. Rather than sleeping on the streets, young people tend to “sofa surf” with friends and relatives until they run out of options and finally seek help.”

The spokeswoman added that last year, the charity experienced a surge in demand of more than 90 per cent for its Nightstop service, arranging more than 840 nights of accommodation for vulnerable young people aged 16-24.

“Over half of those we help are homeless as a result of family breakdown, and many of them are just 16 or 17 years old.

“In the current economic climate, SASH is predicting another difficult year for young people unable to live with their family and struggling to find accommodation.”

Registration forms are available at Barclays Bank in Kirkbymoorside, phone the SASH office on 01904 652043 or email info@sash-uk.org.uk

Information and registration forms for all the Sleepouts are available online at www.sash-uk.org.uk