As temperatures start to plummet, five brave Northumbrian Water employees have volunteered to sleep rough on the streets of Gateshead next month, in a joint effort to raise funds for the charity Action for Children.
The water workers are teaming up with supply partner and mobile phone provider, O2, to make up a team of six to experience one night of what it′s like for people who sleep rough on a day-to-day basis.
The annual event, known as ‘Byte Night′, will take place at Performance Square on the Gateshead Quayside on Friday, October 4, 2019, forming part of a national event organised by the charity.
Berwick-born Judith Lillie, Senior IS Programme Manager at Northumbrian Water, said: "It′s the fourth year I′ve being involved in this event supporting Action for Children, who do a fantastic job helping to combat youth homelessness in the North East and right across the UK.
"In the three previous years of supporting, we′re proud to have raised a total of £6,100 and are looking to beat last year′s fundraising amount to help this amazing cause."
The team have set up a JustGiving page, named ‘Team Wat Er Night′, and are urging people to support them in their pledge to raise a total of £3,000 to help make a difference to young people′s lives.
Northumbrian Water′s IS Director, Nigel Watson, who is part of the team that are sleeping rough for a fourth year, said: "Although it′s fantastic to support such a great cause, it is also quite saddening that people are homeless and don′t get to enjoy a warm, comfy bed like most others do.
"The charity does wonderful work in helping people right across the UK that are in trouble or homeless, and offers support to parents and children to help avoid homelessness happening before it′s too late.
"It′s a cause close to my heart and we are looking to raise as much money as possible to make a difference to people′s lives."
Northumbrian Water′s ‘Just an Hour′ volunteering programme supports employees with local charitable work and community projects, and is proud to back this heart-warming event.
Every year in the UK, around 126,000 young people experience homelessness which Byte Night has raised millions to support since it was launched in 1998.
Holly Hastings-Payne, Head of Philanthropy and High Value Events at Action for Children, said:
"50% of homeless adults become homeless before they are 21. Money raised from Byte Night provides accommodation, education and training to vulnerable young people because we believe no one should become this statistic.
"That′s why we are extremely delighted to have the support of Northumbrian Water and their wonderful employees who not only brave a night out in the cold, but also fundraise spectacularly.
"We simply couldn′t provide the support we do without fantastic companies like Northumbrian Water and we are incredibly grateful to them."
For more information about Action for Children see, https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/what-we-do/ and to make a donation to the team braving it on the streets visit, https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/team-wat-er-night