Lincoln City FC have joined the YMCA Lincolnshire’s ‘Sleep Easy 2024’ event in an attempt to help raise awareness for the county’s homeless.
The money raised will pay for a refurbishment of accommodation in Lincoln, which is used to help young adults experiences homelessness. I will extend the facilities from eight self-contained one-bed units to 14.
Imps director of football Jez George and director of operations Damian Froggatt will take part in the annual event, which will run from 7pm on Friday, March 8, to 7am on Saturday morning.
Chris Kirkwood, YMCA Lincolnshire’s director of community development, said: “Lincoln City have been one of our big supporters in this. I first met Jez two years ago, when he first did the event. I’m so glad he’s come back because I was a bit of a fanboy that night, probing him about a lot of the players. I think he probably wanted to go and get some sleep”
Lincoln CEO Liam Scully took part in the fundraiser last year.
“We work closely with a whole range of organisations, not just the club, but the foundation as well. All of those partnerships are really important,” Kirkwood said.
He added: “For Jez and Damian to join us, we are delighted that Lincoln City are continuing that strong support.”
The duo will be among around 50 people who are set to take part in the event in the grounds of the Lincoln Cathedral.
“All the money that we raise through our ‘Sleep Easy’ event will go to support the range of services that we do to support people,” Kirkwood said.
The organisation supports more than 450 people each year throughout Lincolnshire.
He added: “The event itself is as it sounds. We all congregate at Lincoln Cathedral and all take a night sleeping out in carboard boxes for the whole night to help raise awareness of homelessness.”
7,000 people have slept out to raise more than £1.5 million for local YMCA services since the event began 14 years ago.
Kirkwood said: “It’s an event that is full of comradery. It inspires people to volunteer for us, and inspires people to go and raise money in other ways.”
The county’s YMCA are still taking applicants for the event on their social media platforms or through Eventbrite.