HEADLANDS SCHOOL TO HOST KEY WELSH BUSINESS EVENT AS ‘BOYCOTT YOUR BED LIVE’ RETURNS FOR 2023

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Headlands School will host a key Welsh fundraising event as business leaders and their teams from across the UK are being urged to join a huge sleepout on Friday October 6th to raise money for leading children’s charity Action for Children.

Boycott Your Bed Live, sponsored by Lenovo, is being held this year at locations in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland with Action for Children’s Penarth school hosting the Welsh sleepout on their grounds.

Previously known as Byte Night, the sleepout has so far raised £13.5 million. The money makes a significant difference to vulnerable children across the UK, making sure children have what they need to have safe and happy childhoods – like warm clothes, hot meals and a proper bed, as well as mental health support and protection from neglect and abuse.

Events will kick off in the afternoon with networking opportunities before all the fundraisers head outside to bed down for the night. Penarth joins locations across the UK in London, Leeds, Glasgow and Belfast.

Sue Carter, Chair for Boycott Your Bed Wales, said: ‘It’s shocking and incredibly sad that in the UK in 2023 so many children will be going to sleep hungry, cold and in some cases without even a bed to sleep on. Our aim is to raise as much money and awareness as possible to as we join businesses across the UK in sleeping out for this great cause.

‘Action for Children’s Headlands School does amazing work for young people with a diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Conditions so it’s a privilege to work with them to put on this special fundraising event. It’s just one night for sleepers but it could make a huge difference to a child who needs support.’

Jennifer Coton, Action for Children’s Regional Fundraising Manager for South Wales, said: ‘Headlands School is a brilliant and unique place to host Boycott Your Bed. The last three years have been tough for everyone, especially for the most vulnerable families in our communities.

‘It’s these families who suffered disproportionately throughout the pandemic and who continue to do so as the cost-of-living crisis continues. With the help of the business community and new sponsors, Lenovo, Action for Children can continue its work across Wales and the whole of the UK to make sure children everywhere have the safe and happy childhood they deserve.’

Matt Burns, Principal at Headlands School, added: ‘We’re absolutely thrilled Headlands School has been chosen to host the Welsh Boycott Your Bed sleepout. The children will be involved in helping to prepare for the event, to ensure all the business teams taking part, have a memorable night. To be a big part of a UK-wide fundraising night is a great honour and we look forward to welcoming businesses and their teams to Headlands to raise money for those children and families in the community who need it most.’

For more information on how you can get involved in Boycott Your Bed Live, visit: boycottyourbed.co.uk

Action for Children protects and supports vulnerable children and young people by providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. With 447 services across the UK, in schools and online, in 2021/22 we helped 671,275 children, young people and families. actionforchildren.org.uk 

*’Boycott Your Bed: Stay Up’ is a mass participation activity offering an at-home alternative to the BYB Live events. Anyone can take part, and what you do with your night is up to you: https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/support-us/fundraise-with-us/find-an-event-near-you/boycott-your-bed-stay-up/