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Sixth Form College Sleepout steps up for local charity

Students at Farnborough Sixth Form college present their cheque to Step by Step. (L-r): Step by Step (SbS) clients Maddi and James, Amanda Dubarry (CEO, SbS), Beanie Watson (College Charities Officer), Annette Althen (Community Fundraiser, SbS), SbS client Kevin and Nick Wooldridge, SbS Support Worker. Click the image for a larger version

Staff and clients from local charity Step by Step were totally overwhelmed when they attended Farnborough Sixth Form College's annual Christmas 'Sing-a-long' to receive a cheque for the money raised from the College's recent Sleepout. Optimistic that the students and staff might equal last year's excellent result, they were stunned when a cheque for £8,000 was presented - £3,000 more than in 2010.

“Step by Step supports homeless and disadvantaged young people, many of whom leave home through circumstances beyond their control,” said Amanda Dubarry, the charity's Chief Executive. “We not only provide a place for them to sleep, but support them back into independence through training and one-to-one mentoring. This fantastic sum raised by the College will really help to maintain our vital training services.” Annette Althen, Community Fundraiser at Step by Step, added: “Recent cutbacks in funding are affecting our finances, so this brilliant effort is tremendously welcome.”

Over 50 students and staff took part in the Sleepout on a chilly night in November. Before bedding down for the night, clients from Step by Step were on hand to tell their stories and this had a marked affect on many of the students. Christine Eustace, Lead Tutor at the College, said “Hearing these brave young people recall their harrowing stories and demonstrating so clearly how Step by Step had helped to turn their lives around was upsetting but also heart-warming. Here was a group of well adjusted, confident members of society who are now able to live independent lives.”

Beanie Watson, the Student Association Charities Officer was instrumental in organising the event. “The students were really motivated to do this and raise as much money as possible,” she said. “Step by Step helps people of our age group who have had a bad deal in life; we could identify strongly with their issues and the challenges they face, so it wasn't a problem to sleep out in the cold for a night.”

“It wasn't only about raising money, though,” added Russ Kelaart, President of the Student Association. “It was about raising awareness that such problems exist, even in our relatively prosperous area. The stories the Step by Step guys told made us all think about what we had, and what we could do to help. I'm really delighted that we managed to raise so much and we're looking forward to strengthening our relationship with Step by Step in the future.”

If you or your business, church or other organisation would like to support the work of Step by Step, whether through special fundraising events, sponsorship or offering your skills and experience, Annette and the Fundraising Team would be delighted to hear from you. Just call 01252 346107 or email fundraising@stepbystep.org.uk.

©2011 Step by Step Partnership Ltd   :   Reg. Charity No. 900308    :   Company No. 2431825