Leaders urged to support Darlington CEO Sleepout

County Durham business leaders are being urged to take part in a fundraiser aimed at helping local families in need.

The Darlington CEO Sleepout, set to take place on November 18 at the Darlington Arena, invites chief executives, entrepreneurs and senior executives to brave a night outdoors to raise funds for local charities.

Among those already signed up is England rugby union legend Tony Underwood, who will also deliver a talk at the event.

The Sleepout aims to support local organisations, including First Stop Darlington, which has seen a surge in people turning to them for help in the wake of rising living costs.

Tracy Freeman, chief executive of First Stop Darlington, said: “Last year, we supported 424 people, but since April we’ve already supported 357 – poverty is still rife, and alongside people’s mental health and wellbeing, is the main reason they access our services.

“The money raised through the CEO Sleepout is hugely important to us; it helps to pay for emergency situations and supports the work of our core team who are the problem-solvers - the ones who try to pull off miracles when none seem available.”

Since being founded in December 2013 by Middlesbrough-based businessman Andy Preston, CEO Sleepout has expanded nationwide, raising more than £4.5 million for in excess of 200 causes tackling homelessness.

With the number of homeless individuals in the UK surpassing 320,000, this year’s event is particularly urgent as charities struggle to meet a rising demand for services.

Bianca Robinson, the charity’s chief executive, said the scale of the UK’s homelessness problem is now “incomprehensible”.

She added: “Rising rent costs, the cost-of-living crisis and a lack of affordable housing have merely poured fuel on the fire, and it has reached the point where even NHS staff and 999 workers are increasingly turning to food banks simply to survive.

“This is a disgrace, and that’s why our message in the current climate is that ‘nobody is safe’ from the prospect of being made homeless.

“However, it doesn’t need to be that way, and that’s why we are calling on as many people as possible to help us turn the tide by doing what they can for the Darlington CEO Sleepout.”

To get involved or learn more, visit Darlington - CEO Sleepout UK here.

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