Wessex Supports Poole Schools YMCA Fundraising

For the third consecutive year, Wessex Packaging has proudly supported the YMCA Bournemouth’s Sleep Easy fundraising events.

Since its beginnings in 2010, YMCA Sleep Easy has seen over 7,000 people sleep out in order to raise over £1.5 million for local YMCA services that assist young people in rebuilding their lives.

The events in Dorset are organised by YMCA Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch, with many individuals, teams and organisations taking part.

The Sleep Easy challenge events ask you to spend one night sleeping somewhere other than your bed in order to raise critical funds to assist the YMCA in addressing the root causes of youth homelessness.

Participants across England and Wales have been sleeping somewhere other than their bed for the night, such as their garden, living room, hallway, or another safe location either at in-person events or remotely.

Wessex Packaging supported the YMCA fundraisers at both Poole High School and Poole Grammar School recently, when they held their fundraising events in October.

Sheena Dayman, YMCA Bournemouth’s Event Manager said: “We’re so grateful to the team at Wessex Packaging for their continued support for our Dorset Sleep Easy events, they really do help make the process run smoothly and provide the boxes we need to build shelters for the night. I’m delighted to say that the students, teachers and parents at Poole High School and Poole Grammar School raised over £13,000 in donations for their events in October. This is a huge amount and will make a real difference to those that we are able to help. Thank you again to Steve Chipchase, and all the team at Wessex Packaging for their help in making this another successful event.”

So far this year, YMCA Sleep Easy events across England and Wales have raised more than £130,000 and hosted more than 550 participants. Supporters, including local school children, students and business leaders, have braved the cold and slept outside at YMCA’s, football stadiums, cricket grounds, car parks and cathedrals, raising awareness and vital funds for YMCA services.

Steve Chipchase, Wessex Packaging’s Business Development Manager, said: “As a resident of Poole myself, I know the impact that the team at YMCA Bournemouth are making with young people in the area, and I’m so pleased that we have been to help again. As a leading independent and family-owned and run business, all of us at Wessex Packaging are delighted to be able to support such a community focused charity. Wessex has been supplying packaging materials to businesses in Dorset, Somerset and across the South West, South Coast and Wales for over 50 years, and our connection with Poole and area is very strong. Congratulations to all involved!”

About the YMCA:

The YMCA is the largest voluntary sector provider of safe, supported housing for young people in England and Wales. Their approach is always to support the whole person. They provide safe, affordable places to live that feel like home and focus on community spirit and togetherness. They provide 10,432 beds across distinct types of housing to cater for the different levels of support needed by 20,671 residents. This ranges from 319 emergency beds serving 3,591 individuals annually, and 7,211 hostel beds for young people and vulnerable adults. 

YMCA also provides one-to-one sessions with key workers, group programmes and courses, enabling residents to learn the tools and skills to live independently and build towards a promising future.