Growing up in war-torn Beirut in the 1980’s, Ahmad Ayoubi was one of five children. His mother lived with an abusive partner, who spent all their money on alcohol and gambling, so she decided to flee to the south of the country in the hope of a better life.

They moved from one refugee accommodation to another until they were eventually offered housing. Even then, their home had more holes than walls.

Ahmad’s mother struggled to secure a job and was unable to provide food, clothes or an education so she would bake bread and sell it on the street. All of the siblings eventually quit school to help her sell bread and support the family.

Fearful that none of her children would get an education, she reluctantly took Ahmad to the Stand By Me children’s home in the hope he would receive a good education and could eventually get a job and rescue the family out of poverty.

Ahmad received a good education in the home, and met his sponsor David who he says changed his life forever. David made him feel loved and gave him the self-esteem that helped him to move forward with his education. Thanks to David, Ahmad was able to come to England when he was 14, where he later went on to finish university in London.

As his mum hoped, he was able to rescue the family out of poverty. Years later in 2018, he became the Director of Stand By Me, motivated by his passion to give the same hope to children from the poorest communities across the world.

Stand By Me believes that every child deserves a good night’s sleep. This February, they are challenging Brits to sleep on the floor for a week of their choice. Every £140 raised from sponsorships can buy a bed for children who have no other choice but to sleep on the cold floor.

The challenge is open to every individual but you could also do it in a group or with your family like Ahmad does every year with his daughter.

“I know first hand what it feels like to sleep on the floor every night. Cold and painful, it was impossible to wake up feeling refreshed and would have a huge impact on my education.”

“Over the last few years, my daughter and I have slept on the floor in February. Not only to raise money for children sleeping on the floor, but to help both of us to empathise and think of children less privileged than us.”

Taking part in the challenge really makes a huge difference to Stand By Me’s children as a bed, mattress and pillows allow them to be warm, comfortable and well-rested.