A Christmas campaign to help fund emergency beds for people rough sleeping in Greater Manchester has been launched by Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity for the second year, The ‘1,000 Beds for Christmas’ campaign, supported by Together, will help fund 1,000 nights of accommodation with wraparound support, as part of the flagship A Bed Every Night scheme.
A Bed Every Night was launched in 2018 by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, and provides emergency accommodation for anyone rough sleeping across the city-region, regardless of status. It costs around £30 per night to fund emergency accommodation, supplying people with guaranteed shelter, food and wrap-around support to help move people into more permanent accommodation.
Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said: “Over the past few years our ground-breaking partnership approach to tackling homelessness and rough sleeping has made a real difference to people’s lives, ensuring there are safe places to stay and providing wraparound support so people can get back on their feet.
“But we all know that the winter ahead is going to be one of the most challenging we have ever faced, and more people than ever could find themselves pushed into unimaginable difficulty. That means, the safety net that A Bed Every Night provides is going to be more important than ever before. If you can, please help us fund 1,000 beds this Christmas, so we can offer a place of safety and support for those that need it the most.”
A Bed Every Night has so far helped over 4,000 people and been instrumental in reducing rough sleeping in the region since its peak in 2017. But due to the current cost of living and energy crisis, there is an increased need to offer support this winter. Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is urging the public to donate whatever they can via the campaign’s official JustGiving site.
Those donations will go even further through the generosity of their charity partner, Together, matching public donations up to £20,000.
Kevin Fisher, Group People Director at Together, comments: “Together are really pleased to be match funding this year’s ‘A Bed Every Night’ Christmas campaign for GMMC. We’re committed to supporting our local community and passionate about making a real difference for homelessness across Greater Manchester. Whilst Christmas is a time for celebration, it can also be a difficult time for many and especially those without a safe place to call home. That’s why this year we are proud to sponsor this campaign and work together to raise essential funds to provide emergency beds and support.”
Tim Heatley, Chair of Trustees for Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity said: “We want to ensure that homelessness has no place in Greater Manchester, especially this winter when we know the cost-of-living crisis will hit hard. Now, more than ever, we have a responsibility to support those who need it. That’s why we are calling on the generosity of the Greater Manchester public to help us raise these vital funds. Just £30 will help fund a bed for a night, for someone who would otherwise have no place to go. We know that not everyone can spare that amount, so please just donate whatever you can to help this winter.”
Individuals wishing to support 1,000 Beds for Christmas can do so via the campaign’s official JustGiving page. Businesses wishing to offer corporate support should email enquiries@gmmayorscharity.co.uk.
