The voice of business in the Tees region | 105
Business leaders who took part in Teesside’s sixth CEO
Sleepout, raising £42,000 for charity.
DREAM
TEAM
PICTURES: DOUG MOODY
Business leaders raise
£42,000 in their sleep
A
national charity’s “Teesside
homecoming” raised £42,000 for the
fight against local poverty after more
than 60 business leaders took part in the
latest CEO Sleepout event.
Middlesbrough-based charity CEO
Sleepout encouraged the business
executives to sleep out for one night to
make a stand – and raise funds – against
local poverty and homelessness.
With support from Stockton Council, the
outdoor Victorian Street within Preston Park
Museum played host to the event.
Among those taking part was Elaine
McLaine-Wood of Stockton-based Punch
Robson Solicitors, who raised more than
£1,800.
Reflecting on her first sleepout, she said:
“As confident a person as I am, I was very
anxious beforehand. I was very much out
of my comfort zone. It was bitterly cold and
I didn’t get much sleep. It does make you
reflect on the things we take for granted.”
Top individual fundraiser was Nomi
Ahmad, head of
Wilton-based
Sembcorp Energy
UK, who raised over
£3,800.
Top fundraiser Nomi Ahmad (second right) at
Nomi, who was
the CEO Sleepout in Preston Park with Sembcorp
joined by Sembcorp
colleagues Matthew Scrimshaw, Natasha Wilkinson
colleagues Matthew
and Dave Thompson.
Scrimshaw,
Natasha Wilkinson
and Dave Thompson, said: “It was an
took part in the first ever CEO Sleepout
extraordinary experience and immensely
outside the Riverside Stadium in 2013.
humbling to take part.”
He said: “It was a tough night but it was
Jo Davies of Middlesbrough firm HR
our choice – some people don’t have that
Alchemy reflected on the sleepout: “It’s not
choice.”
easy but I’m glad I did it. I came home cold
Others taking part included Lou Tonner
and wet but to a nice warm house and bed.
and Chloe Clover of Wander Films, Durham
Those who sleep rough have to face that
Lifting’s Amanda Gardiner, Michelle Carter
night after night.”
of Bespoke Financial, Malcolm Knott of
Keith Miller, of another Middlesbrough
Industrial Technology Solutions and Gareth
firm, Ecco Finishing Supplies, was the only
Jones and Amy Rose of the Endeavour
person taking part in the event who also
Partnership.
Four local charities – Middlesbrough
Rapid Relief Team, My Sister’s Place, the
Moses Project and TRAC UK – will receive a
share of the funds raised.
Founded by Andy Preston, now the mayor
of Middlesbrough, CEO Sleepout has raised
£2.7m via events across the country, with
nearly 3,000 business leaders sleeping
out at locations including Wembley, Lords
Cricket Ground, The Alnwick Garden and
Durham Cathedral.
Representatives of dozens of Teesside businesses raised around £50,000
through the CEO Sleepout on the Victorian street at Preston Park.