Big-hearted business leaders, company owners, senior executives and office teams took part in the first ever CEO Sleepout at Reading Abbey Ruins on April 24.
Organised by the charity CEO Sleepout, these fundraising events happen at towns and cities all over the UK – but this was a first for Reading. The Sleepout supported Launchpad, Refugee Support Group and Berkshire Women’s Aid.
Before bedding down for the night, one of our former clients spoke about his experience of homelessness and how we supported them.
Then it was time to get some sleep.
Kirsti, our head of marketing and fundraising, and Fiona, our fundraising manager, took part in the sleepout.
In the morning Kirsti said: “I’m not sure if I actually had any sleep, and when I emerged from my sleeping bag, me, and everything covering me, was wet with dew.
“I’m in a safe space, warm-ish, surrounded with nice people, but it was still a weirdly scary thing to do.
“And I only did it for one night.
“If you’d like to help local charities (including) helping people in Reading who have to do this night after night, please consider making a donation.”
Fiona added: “Not the best nights sleep I’ve ever had I’ll be honest, but for a great cause!
“Simple things struck me last night: we had portaloos for midnight bathroom breaks, what do those sleeping rough have?
“We had security guards patrolling to make sure we were safe, what do those sleeping rough have?
“We had breakfast cooked for us, what do those sleeping rough have?
I was able to go home, shower, brush my teeth and collapse into a lovely warm bed.
“Those sleeping rough aren’t afforded those luxuries.”
If you can make a donation to Launchpad we are very grateful.
Local man Tom Canning, a veteran of the Reading Evening Post and co-founder of Football In Berkshire also took part, saying afterwards: “That was quite the experience!”
“Overnight at Abbey Ruins in Reading for the CEO Sleepout UK and I raised over £600 which is brilliant, so thank you everyone who donated.
“I feel very privileged to be going home to a wonderful warm bed and family.
“The thing that struck me this morning having been woken up by nightclub closing time is … Fridays and Saturdays are my favourite times of the week, if I ended up homeless, I think they might quickly become my biggest fear – I’d dread the weekend ticking around.
“A massive thank you to everyone who organised and who I met.
“I am working with Launchpad in July putting on a corporate five aside tournament in town – If you’d like to know more visit Plaion Launchpad Berkshire 5s – A Charity Football Tournament”
If you’ve been inspired, why not organise your own sleep out this summer? By braving the outdoors for just one night, we can help stop vulnerable people from losing their homes.
Amazing people like you are vital in preventing homelessness in our town. Importantly we hope you gain some insight into what it means to sleep outside.
You could hold one at school or college, or at your guide or scout group. If you have outside space at work, why not hold a sleepout there, or have one in your own home. All you need is a sleeping bag and a big heart to raise to vital funds to support those affected by homelessness in Reading.
You’ll find everything you need to get started in this guide, and remember, we’re just at the end of the phone or an email if you have any questions.
