Celebrities help Centrepoint launch its Countdown to Christmas with annual Sleep-Out

On Thursday 13^th November, Centrepoint, the national charity that supports and campaigns for homeless young people aged 16–25 years, will launch its Countdown to Christmas with the annual ‘Sleep-Out’ event in the City of London.

‘Sleep-Out’ will take place at Leadenhall Market on Thursday 13^th November and will see celebrities touched by homelessness join nearly 100 people from businesses across the UK to sacrifice their bed for the night to help raise over a quarter of a million pounds to house and support young homeless people over the challenging Christmas period.

Richard Blakeway, Housing Advisor to the Mayor of London, will attend the event and give a speech which will cover the issue of youth homelessness in London and the Greater London Authority’s plans to tackle the issue of youth homelessness.

Celebrity supporters sleeping out for the night include:

Ed Mitchell, former ITN newsreader – who last year was sleeping rough on a park bench after being declared bankrupt – he has since turned his life around

Daniel Smith, 26yr old businessmen - appeared on Secret Millionaire where he went under cover to help young homeless people in London

DJ Sonique – Brit award winner Sonique experienced homeless in her teens before signing her first record deal and winning Best Female Solo Artist in 2001

Mayor of London Boris Johnson, supports the event, commenting: “I applaud and whole heartedly support Centrepoint's invaluable work with young homeless people in London. Young people are living at the most extreme end of homelessness in the capital in circumstances that are unacceptable in the 21st century. I'd encourage everyone to give generously to those taking part in this year's Centrepoint Sleep-Out and show their support for this hugely important work."

Seyi Obakin, Acting CEO of Centrepoint, said: “Over the past five years, Sleep-Out has become one of our most effective fundraising activities. It’s vital we continue to keep the harsh reality of homelessness at winter in the public’s mind. This year – on the eve of our 40th anniversary celebration – we hope to raise funds which will make a real difference to vulnerable young people’s lives this Christmas.”

Every day Centrepoint supports and provides accommodation for exposed young people. Many of the young people the charity supports have experienced domestic abuse, family breakdown, poverty, and increasingly, the harsh reality of a knife and gun culture. Centrepoint has spent 40 years helping homeless young people to reach their potential and have a brighter future.

The Countdown to Christmas will also be supported by an advertising campaign, running in national newspaper throughout November and December.

Sleep-Out details:

Date:              Thursday 13th November 2008 / Friday 14th November 2008

Time:               7:30pm (Thursday) – 7:00am (Friday)

Location:       Leadenhall Market, Gracechurch Street, London, EC3V 0DR

This year s&m Cafes will be providing refreshments for all of the participants with dinner, hot drinks throughout the night and a hearty breakfast in the morning.

Notes to editors:

About Centrepoint

• Centrepoint is the national charity working to improve the lives of socially excluded, homeless young people. It provides a range of accommodation based services, including emergency night shelters and short stay hostels, specialist projects for care leavers, ex-offenders, young single parents, foyers and supported flats and floating support services.
• Centrepoint houses over 800 16 – 25 year olds each night of the year. Since the charity was founded in 1969, it has helped over 70,000 homeless young people, with 29 services in and around London and six in the North East of England.
• Centrepoint’s Patron is HRH Prince William; who took over the role from his mother the late Princess Diana.
• Centrepoint is registered charity number 292411. For more information, please visit: www.centrepoint.org.uk
  

About s&m Cafes

• s&m Cafes are community-based eat-in and take-out establishments that provide the chance to enjoy the very best aspects of the once-familiar British café. With sites in Islington, Spitalfields, Portobello Road, The 02, Leadenhall Market and the November opening of Smithfields.
• The menu at s&m is primarily made up of classic British dishes and appeals to those with a discerning palate as well as a nostalgic urge for homemade comfort food. It includes many favourites such as Toad in the Hole, Lamb and Cider Hotpot and of course boasts a wide range of gourmet sausages such as wild boar, pheasant and venison.
  

Contact:

The Red Consultancy on 0207-025-6500 / CentrepointTeam@redconsultancy.com

Alex Bolton at Centrepoint on 020 7423 6887 / a.bolton@centrepoint.org