ON Thursday 11 November 2021, bosses, and senior members of staff from business across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire will take part in this year’s CEO Sleepout in support of local charities aiming to tackle homelessness and poverty.
CEO Sleepout has partnered with Nottingham-based charities; The Friary, Emmanuel House Support Centre, and Notts County Foundation, to bring together senior level executives and corporation owners from the local business community to spend a night under the stars at Meadow Lane.
Bianca Robinson, Chief Executive Officer of CEO Sleepout, said: “While it’s only for one night, and doesn’t come close to representing what homeless people experience on a daily basis, CEO Sleepout aims to raise awareness of and financially support the work of both local and national organisations looking to tackle the issue of homelessness.
“We are incredibly grateful for the many businesspeople who have taken part in our fundraising events across the country and want to challenge the Nottingham business community to get involved. We are inviting chief executives, senior members of staff and their teams from across Nottinghamshire to take part in what’s shaping up to be a memorable and rewarding night in support of a truly invaluable cause.”
Since the charity was founded in 2013, CEO Sleepout has held fundraising events at venues across the country, including Wembley Stadium, St James’ Park, Old Trafford Cricket Ground, The Alnwick Garden, and Lord’s Cricket Ground – raising more than £2.9m to date.
Sam Crawford, Head of Business Development at Notts County Foundation, said: “We are delighted to be, once again, supporting this fantastic initiative in Nottingham. Homelessness is such a prevalent issue across the entirety of the UK and organisations such as CEO Sleepout are undertaking crucial work to support some of the most vulnerable people in society.
“Placing yourself in someone else’s shoes and experiencing a small part of the struggles they face every day allows us to better understand life from difference perspectives, and in turn, educate ourselves on how we can better support those who need it the most.”
Representatives from several Nottinghamshire businesses, including John Pye, 200 Degrees, Nottingham City Transport, The Dairy, Page Kirk, blOKes, and Hallam have already pledged their support to this year’s CEO Sleepout, and encouraging others to do the same.
Ben Talbot, Chief Executive Officer of The Friary, said: “CEO Sleepout gives people the chance for both charity partners and the local business community to come together and raise awareness of the challenges faced by individuals either sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness. All the money raised is invested solely in ensuring both practical and emotional support is on-hand and available for those in need whenever required.”
Since 2017, CEO Sleepout events in Nottingham have raised £164,317 in the fight against homelessness, all of which has changed the lives of many people in the local area.
Denis Tully, Chief Executive Officer of Emmanuel House, said: “It’s easy to feel that we are all protected, but anyone can become homeless. Accountants, lawyers, teachers, children, and families – and they do. It just takes a mortgage or an illness. Business has special skills and talents not found in other sectors and can make a vital and important contribution to ending homelessness. Nottingham’s CEO Sleepout is a small challenge that can make a big local contribution towards ending homelessness.”
