BYTE Night, a charity event which raises vital funds to help Action for Children prevent youth homelessness, is hosting a launch event on Thursday 2 May at Tech Cube, Summerhall, Edinburgh (6.30-8pm).
Attendees will have the opportunity find out more about this year’s Byte Night Scotland, which will take place on Friday 4 October at Holyrood Park in Edinburgh.
Byte Night is the IT industry’s annual sleep out in support of Action for Children. Each year, hundreds of professionals from across the technology and business community spend a night exposed to the elements in a bid to raise sponsorship and awareness of Action for Children’s work to help prevent youth homelessness.
The leading children’s charity runs seven homelessness services across Scotland – from residential accommodation for young people who have nowhere else to go, to early intervention and housing support programmes that ensure young people are given the support they need before it’s too late.
The unique fundraiser began 16 years ago when 30 individuals from the IT industry slept out and raised £35,000.
Since then, Byte Night has grown, with over 1,000 sleepers taking part at seven locations across the UK. An amazing £5.2 million has been raised since the event launched in 1998.
Grant McFarlane, fundraising manager at Action for Children Scotland, said: “Last year, 140 employees from companies such as RBS Group, National Australia Group, Cloudreach, Amazon, AG Barr, Sopra, Harvey Nash and BT slept rough in Holyrood Park in aid of Action for Children Scotland – raising over £80,000 for our homelessness services.
“Braving the elements for the night isn’t easy, especially in Scotland – but our sleepers enjoy the experience.
“As well as making a real difference to the young people we support, sleepers have the opportunity to network with some of the country’s most high-profile tech professionals.
“There’s no denying it can be a tough night – but there is always a great atmosphere.
“I would encourage anyone who is interested in finding out more about Byte Night to come along to our launch event, where some of our most experienced sleepers will be on hand to talk about what got them through the night.
“We will also be joined by young people who have been supported by Action for Scotland’s homelessness services – who will explain the huge difference the funds raised at Byte Night have made to their lives.”
Tom Ray, head of operations at Cloudreach, commented on what they have experienced as a result of being involved in Byte Night: “Last year was the first time we had entered a team in Byte Night and we’re looking forward to taking part again this year.
“Hearing the stories from the young people Action for Children helps really opened our eyes to why Byte Night is so important.
“For one night we endure a night away from the comfort of our beds to raise money which helps these young people so much.
“We get hardly any sleep but the camaraderie and knowing we’re making a difference more than make up for the discomfort.”
To see how Byte Night impacts on individuals’ lives, please see the following link to some video case studies: http://www.bytenight.org.uk/what-is-bytenight.cfm
To find out more about Byte Night Scotland please click on the following: http://www.bytenight.org.uk/bytenight-scotland.cfm
If you would like to attend the Byte Night Scotland launch on Thurs 2 May at Tech Cube, please get in touch with bytenight@actionforchildren.org.uk
ENDS
For further information, please contact Jo-Anne Hamilton, News and Media Relations Manager at Action for Children on 0141 550 9040 or email Jo-Anne.Hamilton@actionforchildren.org.uk or Julie Moulsdale of Perceptive Partners Communications on 07734 932 578 or email julie@perceptivepartners.co.uk
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Contact: Julie Moulsdale
Email: julie@perceptivepartners.co.uk
Website: http://www.perceptivepartners.co.uk
