Night under the stars to support rough sleepers
An initiative aiming to raise awareness and funds to support homelessness is inviting business leaders to spend a night under the stars.
This event will be the third CEO Sleepout since 2018 and will take place at Fratton Park on April 27. Organisers are urging those in the business community to take part and make a real difference to people’s lives.
Chief executive of the charity Bianca Robinson said: ‘This is a business fundraiser like no other. Business leaders have the power, opportunity and responsibility to ensure they are active within communities and play a role in strengthening the fabric of society. This event is a chance for them to take leadership and make a stand against inequality.’
Speaking of the rise of homelessness, Bianca said: ‘No city in the UK is immune to homelessness – you only need to walk down any of the city streets to see that rough sleeping is on the rise. That said, work on the homelessness issue in Portsmouth is heading in the right direction, with rough sleeping figures down this year – opposing the national figures which show that rough sleeping across the UK has risen by 26 per cent.’
Funds raised from the event will be donated to initiatives that are working locally on the frontline to support those who are homeless. The money will be split between a number of local charities including Pompey in the Community, Life House, Home Start, Free to Fly, The Roberts Centre, as well as local foodbanks.
Terence Carvalho, regional director from Delivered Social, is sleeping out for the first time. He said: ‘I’m so proud to be alongside so many incredible business leaders in our city who are helping raise funds and awareness for homelessness in Portsmouth.’
He decided to sign up after hearing Bianca at the Shaping Portsmouth conference in January 2023. He added: ‘As a Portsmouth Ambassador and thisyear’sShapingPortsmouth business award winner, I felt I had to be involved to continue supporting our community.
‘Homelessness is a massive issue in our city, which unfortunatelyhascontinuedtogrow andhasagreatriskofbecoming worse due to the cost-of-living crisis.’
Tosignupandjointhecharity organisers in their fight to reducehomelessness,visit:ceosleepout.co.uk/portsmouth