COULD YOU SLEEP ROUGH FOR ONE NIGHT?

by | Jan 18, 2019 | Dartford Charities, Dartford News, Health

Because some people in Dartford don’t have a choice, YMCA Thames Gateway is calling on local people to come together and take part in their 10th anniversary Sleep Easy fundraiser to support local, homeless young people.

The Dartford based charity is hosting this event in partnership with Dartford Churches Winter Shelter on Friday 8 March. The event will be held in Dartford’s Central Park from 7pm until the early hours of the following morning.

It is hoped that this year’s sleep out will raise even more funds as the numbers of rough sleepers of all ages continues to rise and pressures mount on the housing market. YMCA Thames Gateway is one of 133 local YMCAs in England and Wales that, together, support more than 200,000 young people every year.  

Brian Cooke, Director of Housing for YMCA Thames Gateway said: “With homelessness now at an all-time high and spreading well beyond traditional city heartlands, we are calling on the local community, old and young, to sign up for the event to help us provide more young people with a safe and welcoming place to realise their potential”.

YMCA 1 1 | Dartford Living
Cllr. Jeremy Kite and former Mayor of Dartford, Cllr. Rosanna Currans

This will be the third sleep out for the leader of Dartford Borough Council, Councillor Jeremy Kite.  He said: “There are many reasons why people find themselves in housing crisis and whilst I don’t pretend to know what all the answers might be, I do know that the problem has been with us for too long and that great local communities have a part to play”. 

“This will be the third time I’ve taken part in the YMCA event and if it helps raise the profile of both the issue and the great people working to tackle it then I’m very pleased to do it again.  Like many people, I am fortunate to be able to make a choice to sleep rough for a single night but there isn’t a moment during the event when you don’t reflect on those for whom there is no option.”

YMCA’s across the country are holding Sleep Easy events to raise much needed awareness of the plight of rough sleeping among young people.  All funds raised will be split equally between the YMCA and Dartford Churches Winter Shelter.

To find out more or register for Sleep Easy visit their website at www.ymcatg.org/get-involved/sleepeasy2019 or email sleepeasy@ymcatg.org

WALKING WITH THE DARTS | FEBRUARY EDITION

The February edition of Dartford Living Magazine is out now. However, if you're unable to locate your free copy, here is the latest edition of Walking With The Darts: Hello again, welcome to another edition of Walking With The Darts, a monthly update on all things...

MARVEL FANS ASSEMBLE!

CAPTAIN AMERICA SHIELD AND HULK HAND INSTALLATION COMES TO SHOWCASE CINEMA DE LUX BLUEWATER  Superhero fans heading to Captain America: Brave New World at Showcase Cinema de Lux Bluewater will get an extra treat, as an exclusive Marvel installation has...

DARTFORD FC WOMEN | CLASS OF 2024-25 | MEET SARAH HILL

Tuesday night saw Dartford host Chichester City at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park in what was the rescheduled league fixture. Dartford FC Women attacker Sarah Hill featured in our matchday programme that night. For those who missed it, here is the full article:...

DARTFORD FC | CLASS OF 2024-25 | MEET DUANE OFORI-ACHEAMPONG

Tuesday night saw Dartford host Chichester City at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park in what was the rescheduled league fixture. Duane Ofori-Acheampong featured in our matchday programme that night. For those who missed it, here is the full article: SECTION ONE Since...

Ofsted praises “united and harmonious” Dartford primary school

Temple Hill Primary Academy in Dartford has been praised by Ofsted for being a “friendly and inclusive school” where pupils “value their education” and “aspire to do well”. The Ofsted inspectors judged the academy, which is part of The Golden Thread Alliance Trust, to...

NEW HOBBIES FOR A NEW YEAR, Sing, Strum or Sweat it out in 2025!

We continue to offer plenty of opportunities for the local community to GET INVOLVED with our weekly clubs, all taking place in Acacia Sports Hall, Dartford. We kick off the week with Chair Fit on Mondays, a fully accessible exercise class. Set to popular music, these...

DARTFORD FC WOMEN | CLASS OF 2024-25 | MEET GABBY HOWELL

Last weekend saw Dartford host Hashtag United at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. Dartford FC Women right-back Gabby Howell featured in our matchday programme that afternoon. For those who missed it, here is the full article: SECTION ONE Gabby Howell signed for...

DARTFORD FC | CLASS OF 2024-25 | MEET DEAN NAYLER

Last weekend saw Dartford host Hashtag United at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. Dean Nayler featured in our matchday programme that afternoon. For those who missed it, here is the full article: SECTION ONE Dean Nayler is another promising player to emerge from the...

Dartford Grammar School celebrates International School Award win on 25th Anniversary of the prestigious prize

Dartford Grammar School Head Teacher, Mr. Julian Metcalf, and their Head of Languages, Mrs. Donna Kane, were delighted to recently attend the 2025 International School Award Ceremony in Westminster to receive their reaccreditation certificate for this prestigious...

HARIBO UK announces date for Bluewater retail store opening

-          Latest HARIBO UK retail store set to open on 12 February 2025 -          Sweet confectionery leader’s 11th retail store will welcome shoppers with free...