Sleep Out Success

  • 13 October 2020

Sleep Out at Yours 2020 was a huge success, raising over £13,000 to support young people facing homelessness. Our tenth annual Sleep Out was a bit different this year – the virtual event saw participants camping out in their own gardens for the night and getting sponsored to take on the chilly challenge.

The 2020 Sleep Out had originally been planned as a mass-participation event, as it had been in previous years. However, a large gathering was not possible due to Covid-19 restrictions and so we were forced to reconceive the event. Sleep Out at Yours was the result.

More than 50 participants braved the cold weather and threat of icy October rain to show their support and raise vital finds. The intrepid Sleepers included ex-residents of Step by Step, school children and event sponsors Big Bear Bespoke Education. Step by Step streamed content through Facebook Live and Instagram to keep everyone entertained, with exclusive music performances, messages from the Step by Step team, and stories of young people that we have supported.

With the new unproven format, there was some apprehension as to how the event would turn out, but the £10,000 target was comfortably beaten in the end. The final total represents over a year of specialist support for a young person who would otherwise be homeless.

“A massive heartfelt thank you to all the brave Sleep Out participants for giving up their beds and facing a very cold night in support of Step by Step,” commented Anda Chiu, Head of Fundraising. “Your kindness and encouragement is the only reason we were able to pull off an alternative Sleep Out this year. We feel incredibly honoured and grateful to have your support.”

The Step by Step Sleep Out will be back next year.

Step by Step Sleep Out 2020