12.11.2009

Supporting the homeless

UK based rental company A-Plant, is supporting a major fundraising event taking place at the Old Spitalfields Market in London tonight to help raise funds for the care of homeless young people.

Mark Pudney, A-Plant’s managing director for sales, has volunteered to give up his bed for the night to take part in the Centrepoint Sleep Out 2009, joining 450 other supporters sleeping rough at Old Spitalfields to help raise funds and show solidarity for the homeless.

Centrepoint houses and supports 830 homeless young people between the ages of 16 and 25 every night. The aim of the annual Sleep Out is to make a stand against youth homelessness and to help raise £250,000 to continue to provide the support fro the following year.
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Mark Pudney

The event does not recreate homeless but it is intended to show the harsh realities of being homeless in London, with the discomfort of sleeping on boxes amongst the bright lights of the city night and the noise of street cleaners, public transport and late night revellers.

Since the Sleep Out event was launched five years ago, some of the UK’s most high profile companies have taken part, and Pudney will be joined by a number of well known media personalities tonight, including: Centrepoint ambassador and ‘Loose Women’ presenter Lisa Maxwell, Blue Peter presenter Zoe Salmon and former ITN newsreader Ed Mitchell who experienced homelessness first hand two years ago.

Pudney said: “I’m delighted to be able to show A-Plant’s support for this very worthy cause and help raise awareness about the ever growing problem of homelessness. In the harshest economic environment we have faced in recent years. It’s more important than ever to try and help the cause for vulnerable homeless young people. We’re hoping to raise as much money as possible for Centrepoint.”

Centrepoint is the leading UK charity working to improve the lives of homeless young people. Since the organisation was founded in 1969, it has helped more than 70,000 individuals. Working directly with young people in Greater London and the North East, it provides emergency accommodation, support, information and training.

If you live anywhere near London you can still join the Sleep Out to register Simply click here to register

Of to give directly Click Here

It may also be possible to sponsor Mark Pudney at A-Plant, by contacting him or Lisa Collins at A Plant on 01925 281044