I’m cycling 100 miles in Prudential Ride London on 29 July to raise money for the 999 Club. The 999 Club provide life changing services for homeless people in South London.
Official figures show that rough sleeping in England has grown year-on-year since 2010 by a staggering 169%. That’s thousands of people sleeping rough in what have recently been our coldest and hottest temperatures, day in, day out and the highest numbers on record.
Help fund the 999 Club's Summer Night Shelter
The 999 Club are currently fundraising for a Summer Night Shelter. This is the first time the charity will run a shelter for homeless people during the summer months, and the 20-bed facility will be one of only three Night Shelters open in London over the summer.
There is high public awareness of the need for homeless shelters during the winter, but the long summer days and warm, light and busy summer nights mean fewer places for homeless people to sleep undisturbed, and more risk of violence and anti-social behaviour against those sleeping rough.
It will cost £24,000 to operate the summer shelter – £17.15 per person per night, so anything you can give will help contribute to that.
I chose the 999 Club because:
Access to suitable, sufficient and affordable housing is one of the biggest challenges we face in London. The 999 Club provide practical support in a welcoming environment that makes the world of difference when people need it most. From providing breakfast and somewhere to shower, doing laundry and providing a place in their night shelter to referring people to other support services available to them, the 999 Club provide some respite from the disheartening nature of homelessness and help people access training, employment and/or accommodation to get their lives back on track.
As the director of a new local estate agency with a social mission we want to ensure we can help meet more housing need through providing professional and personable residential sales and lettings services, as well use the majority of our surpluses for homeless housing and support or reinvestment. But until we have surpluses, we want to ensure we are making a real difference from the word go and we believe supporting the 999 Club (along with promoting good practice through our work) is the best way to do that.
I’m doing this particular challenge because I usually cycle to work and it's great to raise money for a cause I care about through doing something I love!
Please will you sponsor me with what you can afford today by donating.
I really appreciate any support you are able to give. Thank you, Toby (Director, Urban Patchwork)
