By Sarah Dale
5 November 2024
Six people every DAY go to Sunderland Council presenting as homeless [CEO Sleepout UK].
There are 72 children – and 106 households – who are homeless living in temporary accommodation in the city. In England, there are 26,140 more children homeless and living in temporary accommodation now than there were in 2019 – a total of 151,630 children. [Shelter UK]
These startling statistics are why CEO Sleepout UK works with business leaders to raise awareness and vital funds to help combat homelessness.
CEO Sleepout is a national charity, based in Middlesbrough, which was founded to inspire the business community to unite to fight homelessness, raise money for frontline services and help to change lives.
The charity holds CEO Sleepout events in cities across the UK. To date, they have raised £4.5m from more than 10,000 participants and donated money to over 200 charities working on the frontline of homelessness, changing countless lives.
On Thursday, 7th November, the charity will hold a CEO Sleepout event at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland from 8pm to 6.30am.
Amongst the bighearted business leaders from a range of sectors taking part in the event will be Brendan Tapping, CEO of Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust. The fact that 72 children in Sunderland are living in temporary accommodation with unsuitable facilities and then go to school to try and learn, often tired and hungry, hit hard with Brendan.
The Trust has 25 primary schools and five secondaries in Sunderland, South Tyneside and East Durham. BCCET’s mission is Better Communities, and the Trust works hard to foster strong relationships with the community and deliver high quality education and care to all its pupils.
“It is the responsibility of all of us to care,” says Brendan, who is aiming to raise at least £1,000 for the charity with donations.
“Better Communities is part of our mission as a Trust; it is important that we support disadvantaged and disenfranchised people.
“We can all do small things and that is something I want to show all our children that they too can do small things which will make a difference to others.”
When Brendan discovered the work that CEO Sleepout was doing to help homeless families, he was inspired to step up and join the many other business leaders braving the cold for one night. Although he usually keeps charitable donations private, he wanted to shine a spotlight on the cause in a bid to encourage others to participate in future events which take place across the UK.
“When I found out about CEO Sleepout Sunderland, I thought I can do that,” he says.
“What really struck me was how many children are growing up in temporary accommodation. Children and young people are at the centre of everything we do at the Trust.
“The Sleepout is going to be challenging and it’s not going to be a comfortable evening but the lens I’m looking through is I’m going to be able to go home and be warm and won’t have to do it the following night, like so many others.
“It will highlight to me and the others taking part just how challenging it is for people on a daily basis, and hopefully we can raise a lot of money. All the donated money for the event directly affects local people which is another fact that appealed to me.
“People are living in temporary accommodation and then going into work to try and live a normal day so I will be doing the same.
“Inspiring children and the community to believe that we can all do something is key.”
Bianca Robinson, CEO of CEO Sleepout, said: “In Sunderland, there are currently six people every day presenting to the council as homeless. Some may even have full-time jobs, but the rent has outstripped their income.
“The cost of living is driving people out of their homes and into unsafe accommodation and sometimes even onto the streets. Families and children are affected. This cannot go on.
“It’s always heartwarming to see Sunderland’s business leaders stepping up to show support and raise funds for vital charities who change the lives of people facing homelessness every day. I can’t thank leaders like Brendan enough.”
To donate to CEO Sleepout UK and help to boost Brendan’s donations, please visit https://ceosleepout.enthuse.com/pf/brendan-tapping
For more information about BCCET, please visit www.bccet.org.uk
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