Business leaders from across the region will be sleeping rough this November as part of the Big Hull and East Yorkshire Sleepout 2024.
On Thursday 7 November, leaders of top local and regional companies are invited (arms twisted) to be stripped of all luxuries and left to sleep out in the cold concrete stands of Sewell Group Craven Park.
With access to only minimal resources, those taking part will have to think creatively to keep warm, dry and entertained, raising money for for three local causes in the process – Hull Homeless and Rootless Project (Hull HARP), Dove House Hospice and Hull KR Foundation.
100% of the money raised will stay in Hull and East Yorkshire, with three local charities who support people from all backgrounds benefiting from the event.
One third of the amount raised will be going to Hull KR Foundation, who deliver inclusive and impactful initiatives to improve lives across Hull and East Riding. Inspiring people through the power of Hull KR, they deliver programmes in health, education, employability and physical activity. The Foundation enables people of all ages to get involved and work towards reaching their potential.
Paul Hamnett, Chief Executive of Hull KR Foundation said:
“As a charity, we need to constantly fundraise to deliver our mission and all money raised will be received gratefully. Engaging with businesses across Hull will help us bring the challenges seen by communities across Hull and East Riding to the forefront. Challenges are faced by our communities daily and our work provides opportunities to improve their lives. Since 2007 we have delivered to thousands of people in the Hull area to support their lives. Our work includes programmes to support education, employment, health and making positive choices.”
Dove House Hospice, who will be getting another third, is located on Chamberlain Road in Hull. The Hospice has been caring for people in Hull and East Yorkshire for almost 40 years. Patients and families are at the heart of everything they do, whether they are caring for people at the end of their lives, providing therapies to help people with life limiting illnesses improve their quality of life, or giving much needed bereavement support to grieving families. Their care focuses on the needs of the person they are caring for, not just their illness, and staff take the time to get to know patients and their families to help make staying at Dove House Hospice a home-from-home experience.
Chris Sadler, Chief Executive at Dove House Hospice said:
“The support from regional business leaders helps us to continue our vital work to look after local people during some of the most difficult times of their lives. In this area, we are incredibly fortunate to have businesses committed to their community. Without initiatives like this, the hospice would simply not be able to provide care and support to those who need it most.”
The final third will be going to Hull Homeless and Rootless Project (Hull HARP), who have been offering support to local homeless people since 1982, providing numerous life-saving services to people who have found themselves homeless, or at risk of becoming so.
Sean Henderson, Managing Director of Sewell Facilities Management and Big Sleepout 2024 participant says:
“Local charities do so much to serve the community in our region, and lots of our staff and their families have personally benefitted from the support of Hull HARP, Dove House Hospice and the Hull KR Foundation.
“I am not looking forward to spending a chilly November night in the cold, but it is a small sacrifice to support these amazing charities, and I would urge other business leaders to do their bit and take part too.”
Those taking part are being asked to raise a minimum of £500 and to also sign up a peer to take part too. If you would like to take part in the Big Hull and East Yorkshire Sleep Out 2024, please visit this page and follow the link to sign up.