Martin Walker and his colleagues raised more than £ 2,800 for charity , which contributed to an overall total of £ 65,000 raised in one night .
SLEEPOUT SUCCESS
Aycliffe Business editor sleeps rough to raise funds for charity
Aycliffe Business editor Martin Walker swapped his bed for a night under the stars – and helped to raise more than £ 65,000 for a homeless charity .
Martin and his colleagues at sister publication Tees Business were among 75 volunteers who slept rough at Middlesbrough FC ’ s Riverside Stadium last week .
The stunt was to raise funds for CEO Sleepout , a national Middlesbrough-based charity which helps homeless and vulnerable people .
The event marked the 10th anniversary of CEO Sleepout , launched a decade ago by businessman Andy Preston , which has raised £ 3.5m since its inception .
Martin and his team – including his business partner Dave Allan and Tees Business colleagues Vicky Thomas , Chris Garbutt and Nieve Morrison – raised more than £ 2,800 between them , contributing to a whole group total of well over £ 45,000 and counting .
All funds raised will be shared between local charities CEO Sleepout and The Teesside Charity to distribute to causes supporting the most vulnerable Teessiders .
“ Thank you to all clients , followers , friends and business acquaintances who so generously sponsored the Tees Business team ,” said Martin .
“ And a huge thank you to all my Aycliffe friends and business contacts who all contributed towards our efforts – it ’ s very much appreciated .”
The event celebrated the national initiative ’ s 10th birthday in the place where it all began in 2013 .
Chief executive of the charity Bianca Robinson said : “ It ’ s amazing to see how willing the Teesside community is as a collective to get behind this very important cause and show real , tangible support for some of the most marginalised people in our area , and those who need the most help .
“ The atmosphere on the night was wonderful and knowing we were helping vulnerable people from the local area made it all the more special .”
The sleepout was in collaboration with Middlesbrough FC Foundation , The Teesside Charity and local grassroots charities on the frontline supporting people who are or at risk of homelessness every day .
Before heading outdoors for the night , participants heard from people who have lived through and overcome homelessness .
Paul Haigh shared his story as a British Army veteran who fell into homelessness . Small kindnesses helped him to get his life back , and now he works with Walking With The Wounded to help other veterans .
Paul Suggit , a local filmmaker , shared his experience of spending weeks sleeping rough in Middlesbrough , highlighting some of the challenges he faced during lockdown .
Bianca said : “ I ’ m so proud of the Teesside business community for sleeping out and supporting our charity , especially considering many business people are facing their own challenges with soaring costs .
“ With the cost of living continuing to rise , people across Teesside are struggling to survive ; skipping meals so their children can eat and going without heating on the coldest of days , which is why getting involved in CEO Sleepout events is so important .”
Since the charity was founded in 2013 , events have been held at venues across the country , including London , Birmingham , Manchester , Nottingham , Sunderland , Kent and Darlington , which have to date raised an incredible £ 3.8m - £ 300,000 of which has been raised on Teesside , for local people in need .
For more information on the CEO Sleepout events , visit ceosleepout . co . uk .
34 | Aycliffe Business