CEO Sleepout challenges Oxford business leaders to sleep outside
Business leaders in Oxford are being challenged to spend a night sleeping outside by national charity CEO Sleepout.
The national initiative raises important funds for charities fighting homelessness and poverty by inviting company owners managers and executives to sleep under the stars. Having raised £3 million across the country to date, the event will come to Oxford for the first time in October.
Chief executive Bianca Robinson said: “This will be our first event in Oxford, and we’ve chosen it because often in areas where we see the greatest wealth, we also see the greatest inequality.
“This is an opportunity for Oxfordshire's bighearted business leaders to show they care about some of the most marginalised people in its communities.
“Oxfordshire is a beacon of learning and leadership, and I would hope to see leaders of businesses big and small get behind this important cause, showing compassion for local people who may be homeless or facing real dread over bills, heating and food as winter approaches.”
More than half of the 40 places for the event have been filled, and CEO Sleepout is expecting the rest will follow. It will take place in Christ Church Meadow on October 17.
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One volunteer who has already signed up is the Chair of Oxfordshire Homeless Movement {a charity set to benefit from fund raised), Jane Cranston.
Jane said: “I’m passionate about trying to ensure that nobody should have to sleep rough on our streets. With property prices as high as they are in Oxford most people really are only one pay cheque away from not being able to settle their rent.
“By taking part, you play a part in helping to support those who are struggling through no fault of their own.”
Oxfordshire Homeless Movement’s Project Director Yvonne Pinner has also signed up, she said: “We are incredibly grateful to be the recipient of the funds from the CEO Sleepout in Oxford and the awareness that this will also create for the work that we do.
“Oxfordshire Homeless Movement is a partnership of the many organisations working to help those experiencing homelessness in Oxfordshire and to ensure that nobody has to sleep rough on our streets. All the donations received will go directly towards helping those experiencing homelessness across Oxfordshire.
“We are incredibly grateful to anyone who raises money and awareness to help combat homelessness. We always say that lots of small actions taken together can make a big difference, and this is a perfect example of that.
“For the business community to come together and take action to help people experiencing homelessness is just brilliant – thank you, from the bottom of our hearts.”
The last time we covered CEO Sleepout was in June, after business leaders in Kent raised £23,000 by sleeping under the stars in the county's Leeds Castle.
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