EVEN before coronavirus hit more than four million children were living in poverty in the UK.

Now our most vulnerable children and families face the toughest of challenges, as the financial and emotional impact of this horrible pandemic truly hits home.

Action for Children – an amazing charity I’ve worked with for many years – is determined not to let this generation of lockdown children become a lost one.

For over two decades now I’ve taken part in the charity’s annual sleepout.

Before the pandemic this meant bedding down in a London location, getting very little sleep and always being chilled to the bone by the time the sun rose.

Yet I would get to go home and have a shower, something to eat and very soon would be feeling normal again.

For the vulnerable families that Action for Children works with hardship is their ‘normal’ – fear and worry over paying their bills, not being able to put food on the table or clothe their children.

I’ve been privileged to see the work Action for Children do every day to change people’s lives.

Last year alone, their Coronavirus Emergency Fund provided essentials, like food and warm clothes, to around 20,000 children and young people. Frontline key workers kept 99 per cent of services open.

And Parent Talk, an online support service, was a vital lifeline for more than 350,000 children and families seeking reassurance and advice.

They are doing all they can but now they need your help.

They need you to Boycott Your Bed to raise money for some of the country’s most vulnerable kids.

This July 9th they – and I – are asking families in your area to ditch their duvet, put away their pillows and bunk down somewhere unusual in their homes or gardens. Last year I slept out in my treehouse.

Everyone who signs up will get an exclusive invite to a night of incredible virtual entertainment, raising desperately needed money. Because no child should go to bed hungry.

And no child should lie awake feeling frightened about how their family is going to cope.

Please do sign up at boycottyourbed.co.uk and I can’t wait to see you all virtually this July.

Thank you for your support.

JENNY AGUTTER

Action for Children ambassador