A Cubs group in Leicestershire has spent the night sleeping outside to raise money for the youth homelessness charity, Centrepoint.
On Saturday (September 20), 9 children aged between 8 and 10 years-old from the Blaby Cubs group and four of the group’s leaders, swapped their beds for sleeping bags and cardboard boxes, bringing no possessions and cooking their own food.
Picture credit: Steve Franck
Gemma Taylor, the Cub Scout Team Lead, said: “They were all incredibly brave throughout the night, with none of them giving up, despite the conditions.
“I’m so proud of them because throughout this whole process, the cubs have been so mature and have really enjoyed learning about youth homelessness.
“I think they now have more of an understanding of the different ways homelessness can impact different people, and are even more thankful for their families and homes, which is so lovely to see.”
To prepare for the sleep out, the cubs have been learning about youth homelessness, such as the challenges a young person may face, the tough decisions they have to make, and the emotions they might feel.
The cubs even brought their diaries with them on Saturday to make notes about all they had learned, as well writing about what sleeping outside, with minimal protection, was like.
According to Centrepoint’s latest Youth Homelessness Databank, 7,614 young people in the East Midlands presented themselves to the council as homeless or at risk of homelessness between 2023 and 2024, a 2% increase on the previous year (7,473).
After all their hard work, the Blaby cubs were able to able to raise nearly £400 for Centrepoint, smashing their original target. The funds raised through this event will go directly toward providing safe housing and critical support services for the young people.
This local Sleep Out is part of Centrepoint’s Host Your Own Sleep Out campaign, which empowers individuals, schools, community groups, and businesses to take action on youth homelessness in their own way, at their own location.
Sleep Out is not about replicating what it’s like to be homeless – it is a movement of solidarity, a collective effort to ensure that every young person has a safe place to call home.
Miranda Harman, Head of Mass Participation and Events at Centrepoint, said: “All money raised from a sleep out event is vital, and we’re so thankful for the Blaby cubs and their leaders, who, from day one, have been extremely determined to learn as much as they can about youth homelessness.
“Their grit, determination and unwavering enthusiasm epitomise what Sleep Out is all about, and I’m sure they’ll continue to champion our cause as they grow up.”
