|PIC1|YMCA England has launched a new innovative campaign to provide accommodation for more young homeless people.

Life-size silhouette cut-out boards representing homeless young people will be placed in the windows of YMCA branches in and around London to highlight the work of the charity in helping young people off the streets and into accommodation.

Jo Gunner, YMCA National Homelessness Coordinator said, “Forty percent of all homeless people in the UK are between the ages of 16 and 24.

“This campaign is aimed at not only raising the much-needed funds to give these young people the help they need, but to raise awareness in our communities of the plight of thousands of young people who find themselves homeless each night.”

Mail and email appeals have also been sent out to nearly 86,000 current and potential donors as part of the campaign.

The appeals ask donors to send a personal card with a message to a young person in addition to their donations. The cards will be placed in rooms at YMCA hostels for young people to read upon their arrival.

“£15 is all it costs to provide a hot meal and one night’s emergency accommodation at a YMCA”, said Kirsty Lincoln, Senior Direct Marketing Officer at YMCA England.

“The goal of these cut-out boards is to get the attention of people who may not know about the YMCA’s work with homeless young people and to encourage them to help in any way they can.”