Member Article

CEO Sleepout challenges Nottingham Business Leaders

CEO Sleepout is challenging bosses from companies across Nottingham to take part in its next event held in the city.

On 10 October 2019, at Meadow Lane Stadium, business leaders, joined by MP for Nottingham South, Lillian Greenwood, will give up their warm beds to literally ‘sleep out’ in a bid to raise money for local charities helping in the fight against homelessness and poverty.

CEO Sleepout has partnered with local charities The Friary and Emmanuel House and Notts County Football in the Community to bring together fundraisers from all walks of life to spend the night under the stars, experiencing a little of what those without homes go through every single night.

Since the charity was founded in 2013, CEO Sleepout events have been held at venues across the country, including at Wembley Stadium, St James’ Park Newcastle, Old Trafford cricket ground, The Alnwick Garden and Lord’s Cricket Ground. Its events have raised more than £2million to date.

CEO Sleepout’s chief executive, Bianca Robinson, said: “Although it’s only for one night, and doesn’t come close to what homeless people experience night after night, CEO Sleepout is intended to raise awareness and lots of money to fight homelessness locally and nationally, but also to remind all of us in business, about our social responsibility and that we have the power to make a stand against inequality

“We are very grateful for the many business people who have taken part in our fundraising events across the country and want to challenge the Nottingham business community to show their generosity and get involved.

“We’re inviting CEOs, senior level staff and their teams from across Nottingham to take part in what is sure to be a memorable and rewarding night.”

Sam Crawford, CEO at The Friary, said: “It is true to say that we have a fully-fledged homelessness crisis on our hands both locally and nationally. Over 50 people were found to be sleeping rough in Nottingham on one night in April 2019. However, we are not powerless to respond to this crisis and the Friary very much values the opportunity to work alongside the local business community to empower local homeless people to rebuild their lives and move into recovery.

“The funds raised from this event will play a vital role in ensuring that homeless people can access the life changing advice, health and support services at the Friary and we would love it if as many business leaders as possible can play a role in actively responding to this crisis in our city.”

Denis Tully, CEO at Emmanuel House, said: “With the crisis at hand it is not possible to address homelessness without the wider support fromthe community. The CEO Sleepout is one example of how people can contribute to tackling homelessness through established and proven charities.

“Through the Winter Shelter we support an average of two people each week from rough sleeping into accommodation. Such an achievement is the result of a partnership to which the CEO Sleepout and the people who participate in it make an important contribution.”

Ian Boyd of Notts County Football in the Community, said: “We are delighted to host the CEO Sleepout event for the third year running and there couldn’t be a more appropriate evening to hold the event, as 10 October is World Homeless Awareness Day!

“It is a pleasure and an honour for us to work alongside charities such as The Friary and Emmanuel House and to be able to provide the setting for what I’m sure will be a thought provoking, stimulating, and well attended evening.”

A number of Nottingham business leaders have already signed up to take part, including Lyn Bacon, CEO of the Nottingham City Care Partnership, John Robinson, Chief Exec of Gedling Borough Council, Simon Gray, CEO of Career Codex; Dominic O’Sullivan, director of Promax Solutions; fashion model Edward Wilding and Tim White, director, Shard Associates.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by News Gathering .