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Sleep Out a Huge Success Again!

Step by Step’s Sleep Out 2019 was the most successful yet, with 200 people attending and raising over £16,000 to help local young people.

Organised by youth charity Step by Step, the fundraising event saw families, individuals and corporate teams sleeping on the concrete terraces of Aldershot Town’s EBB stadium for one night, bravely giving up the comfort of their own beds. The cause was to raise funds and awareness for young people going through hard times and at risk of homelessness.

The event was a success from the start, with the record number of attendees enjoying good weather and a buzzing atmosphere. The early part of the evening featured a dance performance, musical acts, a raffle and a teddy tombola, the participants fuelled by wood-fired pizzas, hot dogs and ice cream.

But at 11PM, it was lights out. The sleepers took to their homemade shelters, cardboard boxes and sleeping bags to experience what too many young people have to contend with every night. The temperature dropped considerably and excitement gave way to tiredness and coldness.

It was with bleary eyes that the sleepers awoke to bacon sandwiches and pastries early the next morning. The Step by Step team awarded certificates to everyone who had lasted the night.

Events Fundraiser, Eve Silk, commented: “We would like to thank everyone who slept out, donated, volunteered or sponsored someone. We’re especially grateful to Beta Safety Systems for sponsoring the event, Aldershot Town FC for lending us their stadium, and for the local community for getting behind Sleep Out and making it a fantastic success.”

Step by Step is a young person’s charity operating across six counties in the South. It believes that every young person has the right to somewhere safe to live and the chance of a bright future. The money raised from the annual Sleep Out supports its work in helping local young people break the cycle of homelessness.