Take on Lap of Yorkshire Challenge to Help End Youth Homelessness
Teams across Yorkshire are being urged to take on a virtual lap of Yorkshire to raise vital funds for SASH (Safe And Sound Homes). The charity has launched its Lap of Yorkshire fundraising challenge in an urgent call for more funds to deal with a predicted influx of referrals for their services. SASH supporters are getting together in virtual teams to walk, run or cycle a ‘Lap of Yorkshire’ this summer to raise money to prevent youth homelessness in the community. Twenty-six ambitious teams are taking on the 450 mile challenge, virtually travelling around the entire perimeter of Yorkshire and encouraging friends and family to sponsor their efforts.
From the Joggernauts to the Lockdown Lumpkins, the SASH Lap of Yorkshire teams include cycling clubs, running clubs and groups of friends who have been inspired to get active and raise vital funds for SASH.
James Richardson from Sweat Equity, a York-based running group with 8 teams taking part in the challenge, said:
“Having raised money for SASH previously, and being aware of the invaluable work done by the charity for young people in North Yorkshire, the running community of Sweat Equity and Run York are so excited to be taking part in this unique event.”
SASH operates by placing young people at risk of homelessness in both short-term emergency accommodation and longer term supported accommodation, depending on their needs. The charity matches vulnerable young people with volunteer hosts in the community, giving young people a safe home environment and the support they need to break the cycle of homelessness. The charity has continued to place vulnerable young people throughout the lockdown where it has been safe to do so.
Lockdown regulations have brought inequalities of standards of living in the UK into sharp focus. Those without space, without a support network and living in abusive domestic environments find themselves trapped. Over 50% of the young people supported by SASH are referred due to family breakdown. Once lockdown restrictions are fully lifted, the charity’s expert support workers are predicting a sharp rise in the number of referrals received. As some restrictions have been eased, SASH support workers have already started to experience an increase in the number of referrals they receive. SASH aims to ensure that these young people get the bright futures they deserve, but like many other charities, they face a huge fundraising challenge.
In response to this shortfall, the charity has launched its Life After Lockdown campaign with an aim to raise £50,000 – the cost of running our emergency accommodation service, Nightstop for three months. SASH’s incredible supporters have already helped raise thousands, but the charity is urging more people to challenge themselves to the Lap of Yorkshire this summer and help ensure vital support work can continue.
So far, the teams span all abilities, with some of the amateur running and cycling groups taking part aiming for multiple laps, while other teams go for the original 450 mile target. Teams add their mileage via the fitness tracking app of their choice at the end of each week, receiving updates from the fundraising team at SASH on their exact ‘location’ on their virtual lap. From the picturesque views of Chipping and the Whitby sea breeze, to the spectacular Dales National Park and the city lights of West Yorkshire – challenge participants can enjoy it all without ever needing to hop in the car.
Supporter James continued, urging more participants to sign up to the feat:
“[This] is a superb physical challenge. It brings the club together when we have to remain apart, but it also gives us an excellent opportunity to raise funds for SASH. What better motivation could we have?”
If you would like to get involved in the SASH Lap of Yorkshire challenge, please email fundraising@sash-uk.org.uk, with your team details including naming a team captain. Teams will be asked to make a £10 donation per participant to our Life After Lockdown campaign.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
Contact: For more information, please contact Thea Burden (Communications Co-ordinator at SASH) on thea.burden@sash-uk.org.uk.
About SASH (Safe And Sound Homes)
- SASH works to prevent youth homelessness across North and East Yorkshire
- SASH provides an emergency accommodation placement service called Nightstop, where young people are placed with volunteer hosts for up to two weeks.
- SASH also provides a longer-term placement service, Supported Lodgings, with volunteer hosts for young people who cannot return home and cannot yet live independently.Ordinary citizens who are concerned about young people and homelessness apply to SASH to become hosts – they are assessed, DBS checked, trained and our Host Coordinators support them
- The young people we work with are often vulnerable. SASH’s Young People’s Co-ordinators support them through their placement. Loneliness, poor mental health and self-esteem are all issues which can affect young people who’ve faced homelessness. Our SASH Active programme connects young people helped by our services through residential trips, valuable life-skills workshops as well as other enriching experiences.
All young people SASH works with are referred through councils and other local organisations after presenting as homeless.
