For the fourth year running, CEOs swapped boardrooms for beanie hats at Meadow Lane Stadium.
By Holly Smithurst and Nancy Britten
More than 50 Nottingham CEOs spent a night in the cold raising £30,000 to tackle homelessness across Nottingham.
The CEO Sleepout is an international fundraising initiative and takes place across cities in the UK every year.
The event, which took place at Meadow Lane Stadium on November 5, required participants to raise a minimum of £800.
Photo credit: Nancy Britten
It brought Nottingham business leaders into meaningful conversation with four local charities: Emmanuel House, The Friary, Grace Enterprises and Notts County Foundation.
Among them, High Sheriff of Nottingham, Merlita Bryan MBE and Lord-Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire, Veronica Pickering also pitched their sleeping bags.
Addressing participants, Lord-Lieutenant Pickering said: “I believe [CEO Sleepout] is one of the most important events in the city.
“It is across the country but today it is about our community.
“It is about Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.”
Fundraisers admitted that one night without their beds would not come close to understanding the realities of those experiencing homelessness.
Claire Tavener, 58, a participant and founder of Southwell Wellbeing centre, said:
“You feel absolutely worn out the next day, but you can go home and go back to bed or have a warm bath.
“I can’t imagine having to start the day again and not know where you’re going to be that night.”
This year’s sleep out came as Prime Minister Andy Burnham promised to tackle rough sleeping in the UK by getting “everyone in” for Christmas.
Henrietta MacEwan, partnerships specialist at the CEO Sleepout, said: “I think everyone sees homelessness as rough sleeping.
“There is a whole different side of homelessness that people don’t see.
“Its very easy for governments and prime ministers to stand on the steps and say they will do X, Y and Z, but it’s the communities that will help.”
Organisers explained that fundraising was more difficult this year due to the cost of living crisis.
MacEwan said: “There’s a lethargy, I think that’s the biggest issue.
“People are facing higher bills this year, higher taxes, higher everything.
“Unfortunately, donating to charity is the first thing that goes.”
The money raised is used to fund drop-in centres, night shelters and social initiatives around the city.
