Mayor of London backs CEO Sleepout

London's mayor, Sadiq Khan is backing a sleep-out to raise money for homelessness charities.

CEO Sleepout London 2016, which will take place on 31 October at the world-famous cricket ground, will raise funds for Depaul UK, the Cardinal Hume Centre and YMCA North London.

The event, now in its third year in London, is set to be the biggest of its kind in the UK. Senior level employees from any industry are invited to give up their bed for the night to help those who don’t have one – in a bid to raise more than £200,000.

Khan said: “In London we have experienced a worrying rise in rough sleeping and it’s important to support charities that help many vulnerable young people off the streets. I’ll be working closely with government, TfL, local authorities and the voluntary sector to tackle the issue of homelessness in the capital. I wish everyone well who takes part in the CEO Sleepout.”

CEO Sleepout UK chairman Andy Preston said: “Last year’s CEO Sleepout London raised around £180,000 – a record for a UK event of its kind. This year, we are determined to raise £200,000. I will be there with my sleeping bag and I encourage chief executives and senior managers from any industry to join me for the night at the iconic cricket ground Lord’s. We are going to make it our biggest ever event, and where could be better to hit our record for six?”

Depaul UK chief executive, Martin Houghton-Brown, who is also a CEO Sleepout UK Trustee, said: “I can’t wait for this year’s CEO Sleepout. It is a very enjoyable event and we are very grateful to all the business leaders who give up their time to help others. I would encourage all chief executives and business leaders who are interested in taking part to get in touch.”

Derek Brewer, chief executive of MCC, the owners of Lord’s, said: “We are delighted to be lending CEO Sleepout our ground and facilities for the night. I am looking forward to welcoming the other chief executives and business leaders and to sleeping out myself at the Home of Cricket.”

People who would like to take part in CEO Sleepout London 2016 should book their place as soon as possible by emailing Annie Hall at Annie.Hall@depaulcharity.org.uk or by calling 020 7939 1274 or Naomi Carruthers at Naomi.Carruthers@depaulcharity.org.uk or 020 7929 1276.

All participants must individually fundraise £1,000 or more either before the event or in the following weeks after it. You can find further details https://uk.depaulcharity.org/ceo-sleepout-london-2016%20