On Friday (4th October) more than 200 people joined a national sleepout, Boycott your Bed, at Paternoster Square in London to raise money for leading charity Action for Children.
The night saw teams from Lenovo, Microsoft, Dell, Accenture, Harvey Nash, Salesforce, Burberry, Triad Group Plc and many more sleeping out to raise vital funds to help vulnerable children. The event was sponsored by Lenovo, who returned as National Supporting Partner for the second year.
On the night, guests took part in various fundraising activities at the indoor reception, joined by television and radio presenter Olivia Cox. Guest speakers from Action for Children shared their stories, showing how funds raised will be used to directly help children and families.
Teams then moved outside where they spent the night with only a sleeping mat and bag to protect them from the elements.
So far, Friday’s sleepouts have raised £270k and counting, a figure expected to rise as sleepers continue to fundraise. Boycott your Bed is now in its 27th year and has raised an incredible £14m to help make sure children have what they need for a safe and happy childhood – like warm clothes, hot meals and a proper bed, as well as mental health support and protection from neglect and abuse.
Locks Farmer, Managing Director of Income and Engagement at Action for Children said: “4.3 million children now live in poverty in the UK – that’s 30% of all children1.
“Growing up in poverty is one of the biggest barriers a child can face, both now and in their futures. No child’s tomorrow should be defined by what they don’t have today.
“Thanks to the amazing efforts of those who slept out – not just in London; also in Leeds, Glasgow, Belfast and Cardiff – Action for Children can continue to provide children with a safe, warm place to sleep and help make incredible difference to their lives.”
Philip Oldham, Marketing Director, Lenovo UK & Ireland, said “The Lenovo team is delighted to have participated in a second year of Boycott your Bed as National Partner. Lenovo’s partnership with Action for Children shows that innovation and compassion can go hand in hand to create a powerful force for change for young people, and we look forward to continuing to work together closely moving forwards.”
Boycott your Bed took place on Friday 4thOctober with over 500 people sleeping out at events in London, Leeds, Glasgow, Cardiff and Belfast. boycottyourbed.co.uk.
