A cold night sleeping outside raised a heart-warming sum for charity thanks to the efforts of staff at the SCQF Partnership.

The dream team of CEO Pauline Radcliffe, Fiona Garry and Susan Lauder took part in Action for Children Scotland’s annual Boycott Your Bed challenge on Friday, October 4. They were joined by Pauline’s husband Michael Wall and Susan’s daughter Megan for the sleep-out. Together they raised an impressive £2,280.

They spent the night sleeping out in Glasgow’s Blythswood Square Gardens with only a sleeping mat and bag to protect them from the elements.

Challenge Poverty Week

Pauline said: “It’s timely that our sleep-out came just before the start of Challenge Poverty Week in Scotland. It made us all reflect on the challenges experienced by so many children and young people facing homelessness.

“As an organisation committed to helping young people achieve positive futures through education, we are proud to support Action for Children Scotland in their crucial work. The funds we raised will help them continue to make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people.”

‘Life-changing impact’

Fiona Steel, national director for Scotland at Action for Children, praised the team’s efforts. She said: “We’re incredibly grateful to SCQF Partnership for their ongoing support and to the colleagues who undertook this year’s Boycott your Bed challenge to raise money for Action for Children.

“So far, Friday’s sleep out has raised over £40,000, which will have a life-changing impact on the children and families we support, allowing us to offer practical help like a hot meal or warm clothes this winter.

“The fundraising efforts of our supporters are essential to our work helping families across Scotland, and it’s so heartening after 17 years of the event in Glasgow to see the supporter community remain strong and welcome newcomers – we cannot wait to welcome them back next year.”

Poverty injustice

Boycott Your Bed took place shortly before the start of Challenge Poverty Week, which concludes on Sunday, October 13. The week aims to highlight the injustice of poverty in Scotland, and to show that collective action based on justice and compassion can create solutions.

The SCQF Partnership has been supporting Action for Children Scotland as their partner charity throughout the year. Boycott Your Bed was a unique way for the team to show their commitment to the charity, which provides practical and emotional care, and ensures the voices of children and young people are heard.

Big-hearted staff at the SCQF Partnership are stocking up on sleeping bags, woolly hats and hot water bottles to raise funds for Action for Children Scotland.

On Friday, October 4, SCQF Partnership CEO Pauline Radcliffe and team members Susan Lauder and Fiona Garry will take on the annual Boycott your Bed challenge, sleeping out to support vulnerable children while raising vital funds for Action for Children Scotland.

They will spend the night sleeping outside with only a sleeping mat and bag to protect them from the elements.

Our mission

Pauline said: “As an organisation that believes in providing all children and young people with positive futures through learning and development, the SCQF Partnership has been privileged to support Action for Children Scotland this year as our partner charity, through a number of volunteering and fundraising initiatives. Boycotting our bed is a great way of showing our commitment to the ethos of Action for Children Scotland and the children and young people they support.”

Action for Children Scotland protects and champions children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and assistance, ensuring their voices are heard, and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives.

More than four million children live in poverty in the UK. Through its fundraising, the SCQFP team wants to help Action for Children Scotland support more children and young people.