A mega annual charity sleepout is taking place to help combat Manchester’s soaring homelessness problem.
CEO Sleepout hopes to raise around £50,000 at the October 28 fundraising event, held at the Emirates Old Trafford County Cricket Ground.
Funds raised will directly benefit local causes tackling the growing number of people ‘on the brink’ of homelessness throughout the city.
One charity CEO Sleepout supports, Only a Pavement Away, has revealed demand for its services has surged by 20 per cent in the past year – with a noticeable increase in the number of older people, families, and former prisoners using the service.
Additionally, a Freedom of Information request by CEO Sleepout found that, on average, seven households per day were placed in temporary accommodation in Manchester last year.
Given the scale of the issues, CEO Sleepout’s Bianca Robinson has urged the public to either donate or, even better, brave the cold to take part in the sleepout.
She said: “This will be the eighth Manchester CEO Sleepout, but given the current climate, it may just be the most important to date.
“The cost-of-living crisis has left more families than ever on the brink of homelessness with many unable to afford rising rent or mortgage payments, while many are struggling to afford food and heating.
“So we are calling on those who can to play their part. Just one night can change local lives forever, and the money raised from the Manchester CEO Sleepout will go towards helping some of the most vulnerable people in the city.”
Having launched just over a decade ago, CEO Sleepout has since raised more than £4.5m nationally – and over £420,000 in Manchester alone – to support over 200 good causes across Britain.
Participants are asked to try and either raise or donate £1,000 each at the Manchester CEO Sleepout, and so far, almost 40 of the city’s business leaders have signed up for a night under the stars.
And this year’s event comes after the charity launched a major campaign – called ‘Nobody is Safe’ – in the city.
Aimed at highlighting the growing number of teachers, emergency service, and NHS workers living on the breadline, the charity teamed up with Manchester United legend Lou Macari – who runs a homeless shelter in Stoke – to reinforce why it is vital homelessness charities continue to be funded.
“The sad reality is nobody is safe anymore. We have nurses feeding their children with food banks and far too many people in careers that once offered guaranteed security now live in fear of losing everything,” added Bianca.
“Manchester’s business community can help though and everybody who signs up will make a big difference. We are hoping that this could be the most successful sleepout to date, but we need you to make that possible.
“And it isn’t just the business community. Anybody who signs up or simply donates – be it £5 or £500, everything makes a huge difference.”
For more information on how to sign up or donate, visit CEO Sleepout Manchester 28th October 2024
