Tadley businessman to sleep rough for charity

Fundraiser for homeless children and young people

A TADLEY businessman will be sleeping rough for a night next month to raise charity funds for homeless children and young people.

Neil Hughes, a director at KPMG in Theale, will be among 180 people sleeping out at Reading’s Forbury Gardens on October 2 in aid of the charity, Action for Children’s Byte Night.

In total, more than 1,500 at eight locations across the UK, are taking part.

Funds raised by the annual event help support children and young people across the UK to have a safe and loving home.

The charity’s services include Here4Me in Newbury, which provides vulnerable young people with independent visitors, mentors and advocates.

Mr Hughes said: “This is my fourth Byte Night and each year the sleep-out gets better and the camaraderie you feel taking part with everyone even more special.

“It’s a unique opportunity for networking and team building and, although it’s a hard night, it’s also fun.

“The difference is we can return to warm homes, full fridges and cosy beds in the morning.

“For many children and young people living in the UK this simply isn’t the case.”

More than 30 local businesses across the region, including KPMG, Barclays, Vodafone, EY, RBS and Volume, have signed up to take part.

Mr Hughes is also inviting other Hampshire businesses to sign up a team and join Byte Night this year or in 2016, or to contribute and help beat last year’s total of £1.1m.

He said: “I’ve been lucky enough to meet some of the young people Action for Children supports and hear their inspiring stories first-hand.

“At times it’s unbelievably hard for me to comprehend some of the desperate situations and circumstances in which young people find themselves with no support or guidance.

“Every year I feel proud as more and more money is raised to offer support, which can really help put their lives back on track.

“ That’s why I’m sleeping out again this year.

“One night really can make a lifetime’s difference to the vulnerable children and young people we support.”

To donate, find out more or register to take part, visit bytenight.org.uk or email the Byte Night team at bytenight@actionforchildren.org.uk