A youth homelessness charity today appealed for funds to help 1,600 young people set to sleep rough in the capital this winter.
Research by Centrepoint estimates there are 18,000 people aged 16-25 who are at risk of homelessness or are living on the streets in England, including about 1,600 in London.
Tomorrow the charity will launch its “Bleak Friday” Christmas fundraising appeal to tackle the rise in youth homelessness.
Centrepoint chief executive Seyi Obakin said: “For many, Christmas is a season to splurge, but for young homeless people it can be bleak and sometimes life-threatening.
“While many of us are surrounded by friends and family, not everyone has the same support network or even a safe space to sleep.”
The charity commissioned a YouGov survey of more than 2,100 people over 16 to quiz them on attitudes to homelessness and found that 40 per cent had noticed an increase in rough sleepers in recent years.
Abdul Lelo Nbambi was 15 when he was kicked out of his family home for falling in with the wrong crowd. He slept rough in a park before being referred to Centrepoint.
Mr Nbambi, 20, said: “When I was kicked out of home I just wanted somewhere to stay. Friends would invite me home but I didn’t want to be a burden on them or their families.”
He is now studying at the London campus of Trinity Saint David university and hopes to set up his own catering company after graduating.
To donate visit centrepoint.org.uk/donate/
