Member Article

CEO Sleepout challenges Hull business leaders

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

On 24 October 2019, at Craven Park, Hull Kingston Rovers RLFC, business leaders, 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 Emmaus Hull, Hull KR Community Trust and Hull Homeless Community Project to bring together senior level executives and business owners from the local business community 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 £2.2 million to date.

Business leaders at this year’s event will be hoping to smash last year’s phenomenal achievement of c£25,000. Beneficiaries included Emmaus Hull, Tigers Trust, Hull Homeless Community Project and the Hull Beats Bus.

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 Hull business community to show their generosity and get involved.

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

Chief executive of Hull Kingston Rovers, Mike Smith, said: “The club and I are delighted to be supporting CEO Sleepout to raise awareness for an important cause.

“Even if it is just overnight that we CEOs experience homelessness, the problem is real in today’s modern society and the club are looking to do everything to raise the profile of this issue.

“I’m proud to be involved with fellow CEOs and I’m sure the challenge will be successful in terms of delivering an important message.”

Kelly Thompson from Emmaus Hull, said: “We are really excited to be part of this amazing event again, thank you to CEO Sleepout for helping us get homelessness on the agenda with local businesses. The business community in Hull & East Riding continue to make a huge difference by supporting services like our own! We really should be proud of how we come together to tackle social injustice and poverty.”

A number of Hull business leaders have already signed up to take part, including the CEO of Hull College, Michelle Swithenbank, Group Chief Operating Officer at Middlegate Europe, David Bradley, and Andrew Steel, Director of the PATT Foundation.

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