CEO Sleepout, a national initiative that aims to raise awareness and vital funds to support homelessness, has partnered up with the Newcastle United Foundation again to deliver its next sleepout in the region.
The event will take place at St James’ Park, Newcastle on March 23rd and will be the eighth sleepout in the area since 2014. With more than 50 business leaders already signed up for the event, organisers are calling on the city’s CEOs and senior executives to get involved.
Chief executive of the charity Bianca Robinson is asking company bosses and executives to sign up as rough sleeping in Newcastle and the surrounding areas is on the rise. She said: “No city in the UK is immune to homelessness.
“People who are homeless are human beings, with the same hopes, dreams, talents and desire for care and shelter that we all have. But for some, life has not been so kind.
“We can bring awareness and unlock compassion around this all while raising big money for charities who are working so hard to help people change their lives.”
Funds raised from this event will be donated to initiatives that are working on the frontline to support those who are homeless. The money will be split between the Newcastle United Foundation, Walking With The Wounded, The West End Foodbank, The People’s Kitchen and CEO Sleepout.
Newcastle United Foundation provides opportunities to improve the lives of over 72,000 people across the region through its education, sport and well-being programmes, helping them to be active, learn new skills and feel healthier.
Steve Beharall, the chief executive officer of Newcastle United Foundation, said: “It can be difficult to imagine living without shelter or having somewhere safe to stay at night, however, this is a reality for so many in our communities across the North East.
Speaking of how the funds raised from the event will be spent, Steve added: “The Foundation will use the donations to support employability projects like the Street Football programme, which is a free weekly session that uses sport to engage vulnerable young people who may be facing homelessness, recovering from drug and alcohol addiction or dealing with mental health issues.”
Another charity benefiting from the funds raised at this event is Walking With The Wounded which delivers employment, mental health and volunteering programmes in collaboration with the NHS to get those who served and their families back on their feet.
Heather Perkins, fundraising assistant at Walking With The Wounded, said: “We are so thankful for being given this opportunity by the CEO Sleepout organisers and the Newcastle United Foundation who do so much to support vulnerable people across our region.”
She added: “As a veteran myself, I am overwhelmed at the level of enthusiasm that has already been displayed by local businesses in Newcastle.
“Thank you to every single person who is going out of their way to support this cause. Because of you, no veteran is having to fight their battles alone.”
For Michelle Walker-Smith, the owner of Aqua Lettings, the event in Newcastle will be her third sleepout. She said: “I signed up to take part in the sleepouts as it aligns with the values of my business. During lockdown, I got my children involved and we took part in the Sleepout In.
“While the outdoors events are exhausting, it is a humbling experience and there is a feel-good factor that together we all can make a difference and a change in society.”
Speaking of the importance of raising awareness of homelessness, Michelle said: “Some people are homeless through no fault of their own and it could happen to anyone. Everyone should have a roof over their head.”
Since the charity was founded in 2013, events have raised £3.6 million which helps those who are affected by homelessness across the country. Organisers are hoping to raise £100,000 at this event to add to that figure.
Urging more people to sign up Bianca said: “The funds you raise will do so much good. I won’t promise anyone a good night’s sleep, but your night spent sleeping outdoors could change somebody’s life – including your own.”
To sign up to sleep out in Newcastle on March 23rd, visit: ceosleepoutuk.com/newcastle