Tech firms are among more than 20 businesses across the North West which will sleep on the streets of Manchester to help tackle the issue of homelessness.
Companies including AO.com, Deloitte, PwC聽and Eversheds Sutherland have signed up to the Booth Centre鈥檚 annual Manchester Sleepout on 10th November, tasking team members to experience some of the challenges of sleeping rough for one night in aid of the charity.
Trustees of the Booth Centre Mylo Kaye, founder and CEO, Dreamr and Toni Phoenix, director at Digital Gurus, will also be joining the Manchester Sleepout in support of the charity.
The event aims to galvanise the community, help to raise vital funds for the charity and increase awareness of how it brings about positive long-term change to the lives of those who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, in the city.
Over 350 participants have already signed up to take part in this year鈥檚 Manchester Sleepout, which aims to raise over 拢60,000 to help the charity continue delivering its life-changing work.
As well as offering food, shelter and creating a supportive community, the Booth Centre provides a variety of different services to help people rebuild their lives and integrate themselves back into the community, including arts and sports sessions, education and training workshops, employment advice and support in finding and moving into accommodation.
Claire Handby, director at Deloitte in the North West, commented: 鈥淗omelessness is a massively prevalent issue in Manchester and we are determined to play our part in helping to address this in a sustainable way, which is why we decided to take part in this year鈥檚 Sleepout for the Booth Centre.
鈥淭he charity鈥檚 admirable work is getting people off the streets and back into proper accommodation and employment, rather than offering a short-term fix to daily issues.
鈥淗omelessness needs to be tackled with a long-term solution, in a caring and compassionate way.
鈥淭he Centre is making a real difference and we鈥檙e proud to support a charity that is willing to go one step further.鈥�
Amanda Croome, CEO at the Booth Centre, said: 鈥淎s a charity, we rely on donations and the support we receive from the community and local businesses.
鈥淎nyone can become homeless at any point in their lives, and although the Manchester Sleepout offers just a glimpse of what that feels like, the event helps participants empathise with people who find themselves in that situation.
鈥淭he number of businesses that have stepped forward this year to take part in the Sleepout is inspiring. Homelessness is a huge issue, but with a combined effort, we can make a long-term positive change to people鈥檚 lives.
鈥淭hanks to everyone taking part, from businesses, to community groups, faith organisations and individuals, you鈥檙e making a real difference.鈥�
The list of businesses supporting this year鈥檚 event include: AO.com, BCL Legal, Convergys, The Co-op, Cruden, Deloitte, Digital Gurus, Dreamr, Eversheds Sutherland, Fitchner Consulting Engineers, KMS Media, Marks & Spencer, Manchester Outsourcing, MC2, N Brown Group, PwC, Renaissance Hotel, Santander, Selfridges, Think Money, Ward Hadaway, WRG.
Sponsors for this year鈥檚 event are Renaissance Hotel, Manchester Cathedral and Ground Patrol Productions.