Alistair Forbes: Why I’ll be homeless for the night

Dr Alistair Forbes on why he will be camping out for Byte Night Scotland. Picture: Kristinn Magnusson

This Friday - October 2 - around 100 people, including myself, will be sleeping out in Edinburgh’s Charlotte Square as part of Byte Night - the UK’s largest sleep-out, taking place in eight cities across the UK.

We will be spending the night tucked up in our sleeping bags in the capital to raise money for Action for Children Scotland to help ensure that more of the vulnerable young people across the country have a safe and loving place to call home.

As co-chair of the Byte Night Scotland board, I’m proud to say that businesses including LogicNow, FanDuel, Cirrus Logic, the Student Loans Company and Taupo Consulting Limited have signed-up to play their part.

This is my third Byte Night and although it will be a hard night, the difference for those of us that take part is that we return to warm homes, full fridges and cosy beds in the morning. For many young people living in Scotland this simply isn’t the case.

I’ve been lucky enough to meet some of the young people that Action for Children Scotland supports and hear their inspiring stories first-hand. For me, it is extremely hard to comprehend some of the desperate situations and circumstances that our young people find themselves in with no support or guidance. Every year, I feel proud as more and more money is raised to provide more support, which can really help put their lives back on track.

That’s why I’m sleeping out again this year. It can be tough when the weather’s bad but that just reinforces the reason for doing it; I have a choice, whereas there are many young people we support that simply don’t.

It is great that companies, big and small, and committed professionals from Edinburgh, Glasgow and further afield sleep out and help Action for Children Scotland support the most vulnerable young people in society; those who need us the most.

Last year Byte Night raised over £1.1 million, with more than 1,300 people sleeping out on one night across the UK. If you would like to find out more, or even sign-up to take part – it’s not too late - please visit bytenight.org.uk or contact the Byte Night team on [email protected].

If you would like to make a donation to support Action for Children Scotland’s work, please donate at www.actionforchildren.org.uk or text BYTE15£5 (or the amount you wish you donate) to 70070.

One night really does make a lifetime’s difference.

Dr Alistair Forbes, general manager at LogicNow and co-chair of the Byte Night Scotland committee.