County Durham bosses urged to support CEO Sleepout
Company bosses from across County Durham are being asked to spend a night outdoors in aid of a national initiative that encourages businesspeople to help raise money to combat homelessness.
Local business leaders are being urged to take part in the CEO Sleepout Darlington event in November.
Chief executive Bianca Robinson said: “We’ve held sleepouts in Darlington since 2018 and I’m really excited for this year’s event – it will be great to see our regular supporters again.
“However, I’m also looking forward to meeting some new faces; all business owners from large and small organisations are welcome, alongside senior execs, teams and director level employees. We’ve got 30 people signed up already, including three Darlington Mowden Park rugby players, Joe Craggs, Callum Mackenzie and Isaak Welch, and I’m hoping to reach our 50 limit by the time the event comes round in November.”
Since the charity was founded in 2013, events have been held at venues across the country, including Wembley Stadium, Lord’s Cricket Ground, St James’ Park, Old Trafford cricket ground and Alnwick Garden, raising £2.9 million to date.
Bianca added: “Over 250,000 people in England are homeless and in temporary accommodation. The sleepout is intended to raise awareness – and lots of money – to fight homelessness, but also to remind all of us in business that we have the power to make a stand.”
This year’s event will be slightly different to usual, with measures such as temperature checks, hand sanitiser points and social distancing in place, to ensure it is Covid safe.
There will also be a special appearance by 60s girl group The Lipsticks, who will be serenading participants as they set up their sleeping pitches.
Bianca added: “I’d urge anyone who has ever considered taking part to do it. People do have concerns about where they’ll sleep and how ‘basic’ it will be, but we do have a fairly comprehensive list of allowed provisions, such as sleeping bags, eye masks and ear plugs – believe me, if you think you’re a silent sleeper, you’re wrong!
“However, I always like to say it could be the best night’s sleep you’ll ever get – as it could change someone’s life.”
The Darlington CEO Sleepout will take place on Thursday 18 November at the Northern Echo Arena, Mowden Park.
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