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Lester Aldridge is excited to announce its participation in YMCA Bournemouth‘s fundraising event, the Big Sleep Easy, on Saturday 12 October 2024.
Enquire about this eventLester Aldridge is excited to announce its participation in YMCA Bournemouth‘s fundraising event, the Big Sleep Easy, on Saturday 12th October 2024. The firm’s team will join forces with YMCA Bournemouth and other local businesses and sleep outdoors to raise awareness and funds to combat homelessness in the local area.
The annual Big Sleep Easy event aims to shed light on the challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness and raise crucial funds to provide essential support and resources. Participants spend a night sleeping in makeshift shelters on the grounds of Talbot Heath School to gain insight into the realities faced by those without secure housing.
Lester Aldridge joined the initiative in 2018 and has been actively involved every year since. In 2019, we began sponsoring the cardboard boxes for the event, and over the past six years, we have raised over £24k for the charity. More than 40 individuals from Lester Aldridge have participated. We have also supported the charity’s school programme and provided support to Sheena Dayman and her team.
As part of our ESG commitments, we believe it is important that Lester Aldridge gives back to our communities. Participation in such events fosters connections with the communities in which we operate, and YMCA’s transformative work aligns with our values.
Mark Benham, Partner and Head of the Real Estate Group at Lester Aldridge, says “Having participated for several years now, including during lockdown where we improvised shelters in our gardens, I’ve come to appreciate the challenges and rewards of the experience. Despite the discomfort of cold nights and minimal sleep, the camaraderie among participants from various businesses creates a warm and friendly atmosphere.”
“The timing of the launch is apposite; BCP Council has recently launched its draft local plan, which sets out the council’s strategy for new development. This has already drawn criticism, and solicitors from our Real Estate team supported Shelter earlier this month. The number 2151 was created using sandcastles to represent the number of households in BCP on the social housing waiting list.”
Get involved
We encourage as many local businesses to get involved as possible, either by sleeping out or sponsoring participants. It is a testament to bravery and solidarity, and LA eagerly anticipates connecting with fellow businesses in the BCP and DCCI communities. Book your place now via on the YMCA Bournemouth website.
You can support the Lester Aldridge Big Sleep Easy team through our JustGiving page.
Photo: Lester Aldridge Big Sleep Easy Team 2023
