Charities to roll out the cardboard for big business sleep out challenge

Instead of Coldplay think cold concrete, and winds howling off the Humber, rattling the plastic seats and bringing chilly wintry showers.

Curled up in any corners they can find will be the corporate campers. They’re not just volunteering for the ordeal – they’re paying well over any hotel rate in the region to raise money for three local charities.

“Each charity is supporting local people at a time of real need in their lives,” said Deb Oxley, founding director of Oxley Works Ltd and a Deputy Lieutenant of the East Riding.

“They are working with homelessness, end of life care, or helping people get back into the mainstream through education and employment.  So even though I am dreading a night in the cold, I am happy to make that sacrifice to help, in my own small way.”

The Big Hull and East Yorkshire Sleepout 2024 will take place at Sewell Group Craven Park from 7pm on Thursday 7 November until 7am the next day to raise money for Dove House Hospice, Hull Homeless and Resettlement Project (HARP) and the Hull KR Foundation.

The event is the brainchild of Sean Henderson, managing director of Sewell Facilities Management, who will be braving the elements with growing numbers of colleagues, clients and contacts including Paul Hamnett, chief executive of the Foundation, and Chris Sadler, chief executive of Dove House.

The participants will be stripped of all luxuries and left to sleep out in the cold terracing and seating of the stadium equipped with only a sleeping bag and some cardboard.

They are asked to raise a minimum of £500 to take part, and to sign up a companion as well. The Rooted in Hull project will provide a warming but simple meal of soup and bread, and there will be opportunities to donate more cash by bidding in a silent auction for such “luxuries” as a camp bed.

Jo Barnes, managing director of Sewell Group, plans to draw on the experience of camping trips when her sons were young.

She said: “I know it’s all about layers, a woolly hat, warm drinks and a few laughs along the way. The causes we are raising money for are all really important to our community, and, on the upside, it’s not like I’m running a marathon and have to have a training plan in preparation, so I think I’m getting away lightly!”

Chris prepared for the sleepout challenge by scouring the stadium for suitable locations to get his head down – stretching out on the terraces, bedding down between the seats and even nestling at the bottom of a stairwell.

He admitted: “I'm just not sure this is the right challenge for me to be involved in. I think I can just about contend with sleeping in a cardboard box in the middle of November but the big challenge for me as a lifelong Hull FC fan will be convincing colleagues to join me for a night under the stars – and doing it in the red and whites’ backyard!

“Raising the £500 target shouldn’t be seen as a hurdle. Start by reaching out to friends and family, and then tap into your network of clients, suppliers, or customers. Office-friendly activities, like a bake-off followed by a bake sale, a lunchtime quiz, or even raffling off a holiday day, can generate a substantial portion of your target. These events not only help raise funds but also create excitement in the workplace, energising meetings and offering opportunities to reconnect with people you may not have spoken to in a while.”

Deb said: “I’m doing this because local charities depend almost entirely on local support. It’s important that everyone that can, from time to time, donate some of their time, thought, energy or even money to organisations that exist because there is a need that the public or private sector can’t fill.

“I am really looking forward however to spending some quality time with other local leaders to hopefully discuss how we can do more for all of the charities in the area – and to seeing how each of us copes with the cold too!

“But having never done this I am out of my depth! Three things that I will take with me – and hopefully bring back – are my sense of humour, my stamina and a big hot water bottle!”

Asked if she had ever paid £500 for an overnight stay for one, Deb replied: “Absolutely not!”

If you would like to take part in the Big Hull and East Yorkshire Sleep Out 2024, please contact Paul Hamnett at paul.hamnett@hullkr.co.uk or visit https://hullkr.co.uk/big-hull-and-east-yorkshire-sleepout-2024