MP’s and bosses in Oxfordshire sleep in the cold to highlight homelessness
Money raised will fund front line projects to help people struggling with homelessness in Oxfordshire
MP’s and Bosses from across Oxfordshire spent last night sleeping in freezing temperatures to raise money for charity.
Oxfordshire Homeless Movement hosted the CEO Sleepout and has so far raised over £70,000, but are hoping to reach six figures.
The money raised will fund front line projects to help people struggling with homelessness in Oxfordshire, such as NRPF, LEAF, women only services, and making houses into homes with Oxfordshire Homelessness Alliance
Yvonne Pinner, Project Director at Oxfordshire Homeless Movement, said:
“While CEO Sleepout is no comparison at all to the experience of homeless people, we hope that business professionals will get a tiny glimpse into the discomfort they experience on a daily basis.
“We put the money to good use with our partner organisations in Oxfordshire, we’d love for participants to continue to spread awareness about the cause and how the everyday person can help.”
CEO Sleepout is a nationwide event that’s raised around £3.8 million for over 100 charities across the UK.
Two MP’s take part in the sleepout
The event took place at the University Parks in Oxford last night, with over 55 business leaders, CEO’s, and local teams taking part, including two MP’s for Oxfordshire.
Calum Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock, said:
“Homelessness is unfortunately on the increase, with shameful rises in people being threatened with or forced into homelessness. With so many suffering the consequences of the cost-of-living crisis, it sadly leaves many people vulnerable to homelessness. This insecurity affects all aspects of a person’s life and the stress all too often impacts on mental health.
“It is a problem across Oxfordshire and the country, and I am taking part in this challenge to encourage more to be done to address the root causes and prevent more people from finding themselves homeless.”
Anneliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, said:
“I’m really concerned about the extend of homelessness that we see. I believe that Oxford needs more homes and that’s what we’re committed to do, including genuinely affordable and social homes.
“We need to also make sure that the support is there for people when they need it too and I know that’s something that we’re working really hard on.”
Northern Lights Visible
The Northern Lights were visible at the University Parks as people were tucked tightly into their sleeping bags.
Bosses but were dazzled by the sight and lifted the spirits as they captured some stunning images.