MORE than £16,000 has been raised to support vulnerable homeless people across Dorset.

YMCA Bournemouth’s BIG Sleep Easy 2023 saw more than 80 people from 14 firms spend a night sleeping outdoors, in shelters they had built themselves.

The event, held in the grounds of Talbot Heath School, aims to promote awareness of the harsh conditions faced by the homeless community all year round.

The money raised directly supports the YMCA’s work across the county.

It is the charity’s biggest fundraising event of the year, and the annual event has helped raise more than £100,000 to date since it first started.

Roughly one in 366 people across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are homeless, according to a study by Shelter.

The charity helps tens of thousands of individuals across Dorset and runs over a dozen sites.

These include dedicated supported accommodation for men and women, community hubs, and Children’s Centres.

Sheena Dayman, events manager for YMCA Bournemouth, said: “The dedication, teamwork and generosity of the people who take part in this event is a heart-warming reminder of what we are able to achieve when we come together.”

“Without their efforts in supporting BIG Sleep Easy, it simply would not be possible to raise this funding to support our work with vulnerable people in our area.”

The prize for the most creative shelter, judged by CEO of YMCA Bournemouth Gareth Sherwood and CEO of Dorset Chamber Ian Girling, went to Barchester Care Home Parley Place.

Three team members from the care home attended the event, after residents expressed an interest in raising money for the cause, with over £550 being raised by them so far.

General manager Gina Smith said: “I am so proud of everyone at Parley Place, it has been a real team effort. From the staff members who braved the elements, Lee who helped to build us a fabulous shelter to all the different members of staff who helped and supported us, and of course our fantastic residents who came up with the idea in the first place.”

The highest individual amount raised was by Shelley Barker, who raised over £1,000.

Donations to YMCA Bournemouth’s BIG Sleep Easy 2023 can be made online until December 1.