Thirty of Harrogate’s biggest-hearted business leaders spent a night outdoors, braving a low of 1°C. Together they raised much needed funds for charities working with people in crisis, in poverty or who have found themselves homeless.Together their efforts raised a total of £25,280!
Business represented included Stratstone, Rudding Park, MYSHON and Wilson Power Solutions, who’s bosses raised funds from colleagues and friends ahead of their night out in the cold at Harrogate RUFC. The event was held on 12 March, after the original date in November was postponed.
Funds were distributed to four local charities; Harrogate Homeless Project, Changing Lives, Ripon YMCA, Harrogate RUFC and CEO Sleepout UK. Harrogate Homeless Project received £3501.13. Liz Hancock, CEO of the charity said, ‘The HHP are delighted to once again be a beneficiary of the CEO Sleepout this year. These vital funds are helping us in our work with homeless people in the Harrogate District, especially at such a crucial time when we are experiencing the financial impact of COVID. CEO Sleepout is also a fantastic way of raising awareness of homelessness locally and promoting the essential work of HHP and the other partner charities in our area’.
Changing Lives and the Ripon YMCA each received £3501.13 for their work with people in recovery in Harrogate, and young people who are homeless or at risk. Lucy Gratton, CEO of Ripon YMCA said, ‘Our charity is particularly challenged at the moment due to Coronavirus. We have 15 young people in our 19 rooms, and our community space is closed. Many of our young people have little or no contact with family. They are currently social distancing alone with the support of staff and volunteers. Many of our young people have mental health difficulties. We have significant concerns about the impact this crisis will have on their well-being. The money we have received from CEO Sleepout is fantastic and very much needed at this time’.
The Harrogate Rugby Union Football Club, which supports youngsters who wouldn’t normally have access to the sport received a £6349.75 grant to help them continue their work during this crisis. CEO Sleepout UK retained the remaining funds for its national work.
Big hitters included Martin Corbett, Director of MYSHON and Erika Wilson, CEO of Wilson Power Solutions, who raised phenomenal totals of £7,000 and £4300 respectively.
Bianca Robinson, CEO of CEO Sleepout said, ‘I’m thrilled that Harrogate’s business community pulled together for those that really need it. We can’t truly know what it’s like to be homeless after just one night outdoors. But we all agree that caring for one another means making sure that all people in our country have a place to call home. We need to address the economic conditions that place people at risk of homelessness. When people are already in poverty or are struggling to pay for housing, all it takes is a single event, like losing a job, a relationship breakdown or a health crisis, for them to fall into homelessness.
This means more affordable housing and providing good, stable work so people can pay for housing and can access the support they need in difficult times. Our business leaders left with a deeper understanding of some of these issues, and I’m sure they will do what’s in their power to show what a caring, compassionate town Harrogate is.’
To take part in the next CEO Sleepout Harrogate, or any of our upcoming events, please email us.
