Byte Night Charity Faces A Tough Challenge

IT charity Byte Night is expecting foul weather, as volunteers raise money for homeless young people by sleeping rough for just one night, this Friday.

For 12 years, the charity has raised ever-increasing amounts of money, all of which goes to Action for Children to help homeless young people. This year, it faces a tough challenge: the cold winds of the recession will combine with a forecast of driving rain across the country, as volunteers sleep out of doors on the streets of London, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Manchester and Reading.

Sponsor eWEEK Editor Peter Judge

“We thought it would be tough, because people have other things to think about this year,” said Byte Night founder Ken Deeks. “We never expected people not to do it, but we were aware that people might cut back on their giving.”

So far, the events are off to a good start, with more than 500 people signed up and money is being pledged. However, if Byte Night hopes to do better than it has in the past, it will be hard to improve on 2009’s figure of £560,000 raised, all of which has been given to needy projects.

Industry giant and former minister Lord Digby Jones backed the event with a call for socially responsible business people to give something back, and with the coalition government’s cuts expected to hit hard at public services, work by Action For Children could be more needed than ever.

As well as sponsorship for sleepers, which this year again includes eWEEK Editor UK, Peter Judge, the event raises money through a charity auction and raffle. High flying teams from Bt, KPMG and other firms are competing to raise the most money.

“Last year was unbelievable – £560,000 from one event one night!” said Deeks. But this year could be hard going.

“Friday night is going to be bloody miserable, if the weather is rubbish,” said Deeks. Sleeping out is going to be hard work, even though it is a symbolic act. “No-one suggests we are experiencing homelessness – but we aren’t walking the Great Wall of China. You aren’t paying for someone’s holiday!”