Business leaders pledge support for big sleepout
More than 20 businesses across the North West have come together to help tackle the issue of homelessness by vowing to sleep on the streets of Manchester.
Companies including Deloitte, PwC, AO.com and Eversheds Sutherland have signed up to the Booth Centre’s annual Manchester Sleepout on November 10, tasking team members to experience some of the challenges of sleeping rough for one night in aid of the charity.
The event aims to galvanise the community, help to raise vital funds for the charity and increase awareness of how it brings about positive long-term change to the lives of those who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, in the city.
Upwards of 350 participants have already signed up to take part in this year’s Manchester Sleepout, which aims to raise over £60,000 to help the charity continue delivering its life-changing work.
As well as offering food, shelter and creating a supportive community, the Booth Centre provides a variety of different services to help people rebuild their lives and integrate themselves back into the community, including arts and sports sessions, education and training workshops, employment advice and support in finding and moving into accommodation.
Trustees of the Booth Centre Mylo Kaye, founder and chief executive, Dreamr and Toni Phoenix, director at Digital Gurus will also be joining the Manchester Sleepout in support of the charity.
Claire Handby, director at Deloitte in the North West said: “Homelessness is a massively prevalent issue in Manchester and we are determined to play our part in helping to address this in a sustainable way, which is why we decided to take part in this year’s Sleepout for the Booth Centre.”
Amanda Croome, chief executive at the Booth Centre, said: “As a charity, we rely on donations and the support we receive from the community and local businesses.
“Anyone can become homeless at any point in their lives, and although the Manchester Sleepout offers just a glimpse of what that feels like, the event helps participants empathise with people who find themselves in that situation.”
The list of businesses supporting this year’s event include: AO.com, BCL Legal, Convergys, The Co-op, Cruden, Deloitte, Digital Gurus, Dreamr, Eversheds Sutherland, Fitchner Consulting Engineers, KMS Media, Marks & Spencer, Manchester Outsourcing, MC2, N Brown Group, PwC, Renaissance Hotel, Santander, Selfridges, Think Money, Ward Hadaway, WRG.
Sponsors for this year’s event are Renaissance Hotel, Manchester Cathedral and Ground Patrol Productions.
