Dozens of intrepid individuals joined the YMCA East Surrey Sleep Easy on Friday 4 April 2025, in the Colley Hill grounds of The Old Pheasantry outdoor education site in Mogador, Surrey.
The annual event raises funds to support the charity’s increasing number of housing initiatives. YMCA East Surrey provides over 24,700 nights* of accommodation to vulnerable young people each year and crucially, 94% of residents are helped back into education, employment or training.
Participants made their own cardboard beds for the night and took part in a hike along the North Downs to the Inglis Memorial and Margery Wood, followed by a quiz around a campfire. Several Surrey-based businesses sponsored the activity, including TotalEnergies Gas & Power UK Ltd who also involved 10 participants.
Reigate & Banstead’s Mayor Councillor Eddy Humphreys and his wife Sarah gave warm encouragement and a big boost of moral support to all of the partakers.
Lee Farby, Head of Housing at YMCA East Surrey said, “We are determined to give more young people the opportunity to build independence and succeed in life. This makes us so grateful for those who slept out for the Sleep Easy night to raise funds to help positively turn around the lives of others.”
Charity CEO Ian Burks, who led the moonlit hike, added, “Homelessness is growing amongst young people and those sleeping out tonight have shown that people care and want to help charities like the YMCA to address this problem. With their help we aim to develop more safe and affordable supported accommodation to give local young people the opportunity to move on to independence.”
Louise Merrett-Jones, who teaches at Earlswood Infant & Nursery School, Surrey, said, “The Sleep Easy made me think how difficult it is to sleep in the open for just one night but people are having to do this every night. Also, homeless people are usually alone, which must make a night’s sleep almost impossible.”
Another said, “I started out cold and never properly warmed up and slept with one eye open for foxes, badgers and possibly deer. I felt anxious, even though I knew it was for just one night. The challenge certainly made me think!”
Sleep Easy 2025 has already raised £3,266 and funds are still coming in. If you would like to fundraise for the YMCA, please visit https://www.ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk/get-involved/challenge-events/.
