Byte Night 2018 - Helping homeless teenagers
Once a year I make a heartfelt plea for some help on behalf of some young people trying really hard to escape some really difficult circumstances. This year is no different. On the 5th October, I will be sleeping out on Newcastle Quayside as part of Byte Night. We will be doing it in order to raise money for Action for Children, who are a fantastic organisation working really hard to make some life-changing interventions.
We have a real crisis going on in, especially (but not limited to) our inner cities. The underlying causes of this crisis are many and complicated. You know the story, broken families, lack of role models, poverty and so on. Best estimates suggest that 83,000 young people are homeless in the UK right now. The problems that these kids face are being massively exacerbated by the availability of cheap and powerful drugs. Councils who are in the front-line of this are cutting their budgets. It is in many ways the perfect storm. Young lives are going to waste. If you’ve got 2-3 spare minutes then please watch this video, which explains how Action for Children intervene and help – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxuA-0GG4x0.
By dint of good fortune, this is not my world. Chances are, since you are reading this message, it is not your world either. However, I believe that it is a problem that we should all care about. That’s why I do the sleep out and why I am making this plea. My kids are growing up in this world; perhaps yours are too. For that reason alone, I can’t ignore the problem.
I know there are lots of great causes and I know you will probably receive a lot of requests for help. All I’m going to ask is that you spare a thought for these kids and their plight. If that moves you to make a contribution (of whatever size) then that is, of course, greatly appreciated. We have created a group Just Giving page, which you can find here – https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/srotavonni-team - no amount is too small. If you are moved to help in some other way, then that is also very much appreciated, lots of volunteers needed. Thank you for taking the time to read this note.
Head of Growth
1 年??
Helping organisations ensure their whole system of internal controls is optimised and fit for the future - Governance Risk and Compliance at PwC
6 年Great post Nigel, we are attending the Cambridge event and think it’s a superb opportunity to give something back! I would expect it might be a bit colder with you on the evening though.....!
Vice President at Mannai Corporation QPSC
6 年Great initiative Nigel ??
Seasoned Sales Executive in ICT & Public Sector | Driving Growth through Strategic Client Relationships and Innovative Solutions
6 年Great cause here Nigel, happy to support.
Group Chief Executive Officer @CBTDD Holdings Ltd | Chief Executive Officer @WAGDSI
6 年Couldn’t agree more with your words Nigel. Having also moved to the North East I too have witnessed the plights of many folk not just teenagers, in inner cities and small towns alike. The technology, manpower and funding exists to tackle the problem through blocking/stopping the supply of such narcotics. Which to me begs the question why are the authorities not doing so. So much more could and should be done. There has to be a clear focus on education/rehabilitation/future life enablement rather than criminalisation. I’ll be doing my bit to contribute. Hope others do to.