Boycott Your Bed, the corporate fundraising initiative that asks participants to swap their mattresses for sleeping bags, has raised £14.6 million for Action for Children since it began – money that goes directly to food parcels, emergency accommodation, mental health support and safe places for the 4 million children currently living in poverty in the UK.
The 29-year-old campaign was originally launched in 1998 as Byte Night, a sponsored sleepout for the IT sector founded by Ken Debs MBE. Action for Children rebranded it as Boycott Your Bed in 2020 to widen its appeal beyond the technology industry, though the tech sector remains central to its support. This year, the collective fundraising target for the 2026 events is £420,000.
According to UK Government data from March 2026, 4 million children – approximately 27% of all children in the country – are living in poverty. London has the highest rate of child poverty in England, with some local authorities seeing rates above 40%. The North West and South East regions also register some of the worst figures. The cost of living crisis has driven many families to go without essentials such as warm clothing, regular meals and a reliable place to sleep, which the campaign seeks to address.
The money raised through Boycott Your Bed funds Action for Children’s network of more than 650 services across the UK. These include adoption and fostering support, specialist schools, intervention programmes for children at risk of criminal exploitation, residential children’s homes, and dedicated help for young carers and families with disabled children. The charity also runs Parent Talk, a digital advice service for families, and Sidekick, a text-based support line for young carers. By spending one night outside, participants help provide the practical and emotional support that vulnerable children and families rely on.
The flagship London sleepout will take place on Friday, 2 October 2026, with more than 500 people expected to take part in sleepouts across the UK. Events are also scheduled in Leeds, Manchester and Glasgow. Participants can choose to sleep outdoors, stay up all night indoors, or simply set up a sleeping bag in their living room or office; the campaign does not require a corporate team – individuals and families can register as well.
Launch event and corporate support
Action for Children will officially launch Boycott Your Bed 2026 in London on Wednesday, 24 June, at Sparta Global from 6pm to 8pm. The evening will outline the campaign’s ambitions, give attendees the chance to hear directly from the campaign team, and encourage more organisations to sign up. Those interested in attending the launch can contact Destiny Gillbee at C8 Consulting via [email protected].
C8 Consulting, a disruptive-tech PR agency, has been appointed as the official PR partner for the 2026 campaign, driving awareness within UK technology media. The agency has supported the event for several years; in 2020, C8 Consulting raised £2,230 for the cause, and the team plans to take part in this year’s sleepout on 2 October. C8 Consulting has also made Action for Children its chosen charity for 2026. Paula Elliott, the agency’s Managing Director, has been appointed to the Boycott Your Bed London Board, helping to drive momentum behind the campaign.
Previous corporate participants include Salesforce, Accenture, Kier Group, Burberry, Dell, C8 Consulting and Lenovo, reflecting the breadth of support from the corporate and technology sectors. Lenovo has been a National Supporting Partner for at least two consecutive years. Tandem Property Asset Management is a supporting sponsor for the 2025 event. Microsoft, John Lewis and Barclays have also taken part in previous years.
Katherine Woods, Director of Fundraising at Action for Children, said: “It’s devastating that 27% of all children in the UK are growing up in poverty. One uncomfortable night might feel like a challenge, but for too many children it’s their everyday reality. Some of the biggest companies in London sleep out, making Boycott Your Bed a unique networking opportunity, as well as a chance to support some of the most vulnerable children and young people in our society. One night sleeping out can really make a lifetime’s difference for these families.”
How to participate
Registration for the London sleepout on Friday, 2 October is open via the official campaign website at boycottyourbed.co.uk. That site also holds information for individuals and families who wish to take part. The campaign has faced challenges in past years – in 2025, Storm Amy forced the cancellation of the Glasgow event and led to participants relocating in London, Manchester and Leeds – but organisers stress the flexibility of the format means almost anyone can support the cause from wherever they are.
To register for the Boycott Your Bed London sleepout, contact the Boycott Your Bed team or visit the website. For launch event inquiries, contact Destiny Gillbee at C8 Consulting via [email protected].
