Tees Business Tees Business Issue 18 | Page 93

Serving the Teesside Business Community | 93 Dream team - The first-ever CEO Sleepout took place outside the Riverside Stadium. Teesside business leaders challenged to join sleepout fundraiser DREAM BIG FOR CHARITY Tees Business is challenging readers to give up their warm beds for a night and join us for a sleepout challenge. M iddlesbrough-based charity CEO Sleepout is calling on the region’s business executives to sleep out for one night to make a stand against local poverty and homelessness. With support from Stockton Council, the outdoor Victorian Street within Preston Park Museum will play host to an event organisers promise will make a lasting impact on all participants. Tees Business co-editor Dave Allan is calling on local business managers and directors to join him in a bid to smash the £45,000 mark a sleepout achieved three years ago when our magazine threw its weight behind the campaign. He said: “Giving up your bed for a night Tees Business co-editor Dave Allan (left) with CEO Sleepout's Andy Preston and Bianca Robinson. might not be a great prospect, but lots of Teessiders don’t have a home to call their own – and we can help them by taking part in this sleepout event. “You don’t have to be a CEO – or even a director. We’re calling on managers, directors and anyone of high profile to join us and help make a difference. “The business community can definitely raise more than £50,000 if we join forces to make this happen.” Funds raised will help fund training and employment for the long-term unemployed, including former prisoners and recovering alcoholics at the Fork in the Road charity restaurant on Middlesbrough’s Linthorpe Road. Cash will also be shared with various local homeless and poverty causes. Cheques have recently been given out from last year’s event, with the Moses Project, Bridge House Mission, My Sister’s Place, Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Welfare, Middlesbrough Period Poverty and Homestart each receiving £1,356 from CEO Sleepout. CEO Sleepout rules • Fundraisers are allowed to bring along a sleeping bag and mat, while warm clothes are recommended. • There will also be access to hot drinks and toilets throughout the night. • Each participant is asked to raise as much money in sponsorship as possible, with funds going to local charities fighting poverty and homelessness. CEO Sleepout Teesside takes place at Preston Park Museum on the night of Monday, November 11. To register, visit ceosleepoutuk.com or email [email protected] for more details.