Businesses and GM Mayor support fundraiser to tackle homelessness

Andy Burnham supports Byte Night North West sleep out

Over 190 business people faced the elements on Friday (5 October) at the Byte Night North West sleep out, to raise money for children’s charity Action for Children.

Teams from companies large and small from across the region braved the cold at MediaCityUK in Salford, joining over 1,600 others simultaneously sleeping out across 12 locations up and down the UK.

Organisers are on target to raise a record-breaking £1.6 million nationally in support of Action for Children services.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Byte Night works to support some of the 83,000 young people a year who become homeless. Whatever our challenges as a country, we are rich enough to put a roof over every head every night of the week, and in Greater Manchester I am working to end the need for rough sleeping across our city-region by 2020.”

Chairman of the North West Byte Night board, Jonathan Summerlin, director at KPMG, said: “I’d like to say a huge thank you and well done to everyone who braved the biting cold to raise funds for vulnerable children. It was a big challenge, but in the morning, everyone went home to their warm beds – and there are too many vulnerable young people in the North West for whom this is impossible.

“No child or young person should have to face the trauma of homelessness - they shouldn’t be sofa surfing, they shouldn’t be in B&Bs, and they certainly shouldn’t be on the streets. This a critical issue in our region, as it is across the country, and Byte Night is a chance to support some of the young people in our society who need it most.

“One night really can make a lifetime’s difference and funds raised will help us support children and young people to have a safe and loving home.”

Action for Children’s national director for England North, John Egan, said: “Our critical work with vulnerable young people and families helps to prevent the tragedy of homelessness by tackling the issues that can lead to young people ending up on the streets.

“From individual support for teenagers to working with families who are facing difficulties, our frontline services can prevent problems from spiralling out of control and keep children and young people safe and cared for. Any young people worried about their family situation can come to us for help at actionforchildren.org.uk.”