Page 58 - Phonebox Magazine November 2007

Local IT consultant sleeps rough to raise money for homeless young people
For one night on 5 October 2007, IT consultant Mark Wilson gave up his warm duvet and comfortable house as part of Byte Night 2007 – the IT industry’s annual sleep out in support of young people
who are coping with life after care or facing homelessness.
Mark, 35, from Olney, who is himself a father of two young children, joined around 250 IT executives sleeping outside close to London’s City Hall and Tower Bridge to raise money and highlight the problem of youth homelessness.
“I was shocked by the statistics about children and young people forced into homelessness in the UK and when I read about Byte Night I immediately saw that I could help. There are an estimated 32,000 homeless 16-21 year-olds in Britain and a third of young homeless people have tried to commit suicide. Perhaps even more shocking is most runaways are aged 13-15 but a quarter are under 11.”
“On a personal level, I found it all rather humbling. I want to stress that I can never truly understand what it’s like to be homeless but it’s good to remember those who are less fortunate and to do something to help. Some people inferred that Byte Night is just a ‘jolly’ and I will
admit that there was an element of fun in taking part but as I walked along the South Bank and through Westminster in the early hours of the next morning, I saw those who were genuinely homeless and realised how vulnerable I felt. I cannot imagine what it is like to be in their situation, every day and night, let alone as a child. Even though I was taking part in an organised sleepover with over 250 like-minded people the point is not really about being truly ‘on the streets’ – it’s about raising awareness of this important issue and funds for NCH to
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help vulnerable children and young people.”
Despite fantastic support from friends, family and work colleagues, Mark fell short of his target of raising £2,000 for NCH, the children’s charity. Since its inception in 1998, Byte Night has raised over £1.5m for NCH youth homeless projects. K
You can sponsor Mark by visiting his online fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/markwilson- bytenight07, which will remain open until 5 December 2007. You can pay by credit or debit card, and the money will go directly to NCH, the children’s charity. Where supporters are UK taxpayers, the charity will automatically receive 28% extra in Gift Aid, which makes Justgiving the most efficient way of sponsoring Mark. Or send cheques made payable to NCH to c/o Phonebox Magazine, Orchard Press, Unit 2 Stanley Court, Olney, Bucks MK46 5NH. K
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Olney first XV rugby team has started their season very successfully, winning all six games to date. This puts them firmly at the top of the table in Southern Counties North league. Credit should be given to all players who continue to train and play as a united squad thus reaping the benefits from their results.
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