‘This is that rainy day’: CEO Sleepout aims to help fight homelessness and poverty in Darlington

“We are a poverty charity – but we are in poverty ourselves”.

That’s the admission from a North East charity facing a constant fight to keep the lights on, amid unprecedented demand for its services.

The number of people seeking help from First Stop, in Darlington, has soared by 24 per cent in the past year.

“Many of these are working-aged families which just a few years ago, we’d simply never see,” said Tracy Freeman, Chief Executive of First Stop.

“People are on their knees, but so are those helping them. Funding is drying up because poverty is no longer the shiny new thing – but the need for help has never been greater.”

Her comments come ahead of the annual CEO Sleepout, a major fundraiser that is expected to raise tens of thousands for local causes like First Stop tackling poverty and homelessness.

The Darlington CEO Sleepout takes place on November 20 at the Northern Echo Arena, Mowden Park, with business leaders being urged to raise at least £1,000 each to make a difference to local lives.

For Tracy, the money could make a huge difference.

“Poverty hasn’t gone away, and we are seeing it in all walks of life. In the last year, more older people are also seeking our support in part due to the Winter Fuel Allowance, and a big theme is seeing people who want to live the life they once had before the Cost-of-Living crisis, but no longer have the income to do so,” she added.

“People have always been told to save for the rainy day. Well, this is far beyond a rainy day.

“But it is so hard. Understandably people want to give their families the best, but the reality is that this is never going back to the way it was – petrol, utility and food prices won’t shrink – and the strain of life is severely impacting people’s mental health.”

As such, Tracy will be among those taking part in the CEO Sleepout. Launched in Teesside a decade ago, to date it has raised over £5.5m nationally to support hundreds of frontline causes tackling homelessness and poverty.

This year, the charity will stage a record number of events across the UK, although the charity’s CEO sees little cause to celebrate.

“We shouldn’t still need to do this, but the reality is that more people are struggling than ever before, and as the stats from First Stop shows, the situation locally is frightening,” said Bianca Robinson.

“When you join a CEO Sleepout, you’re sending a message of solidarity and showing that the business world cares about the most vulnerable in our society, whilst raising funds that will make an immediate impact.

“And you don’t need to be a billionaire to make a difference – just one night, a sleeping bag, and the courage to care.”

With that in mind, CEO Sleepout has launched a new campaign aimed directly at the Tees Valley business community.

Called ‘At Your Doorstep’, the campaign acts as a blunt wake-up call to the county’s business community to highlight how they are uniquely positioned to transform lives for the better.

“Homelessness is no longer hidden. It’s everywhere. It’s on our commute, outside our offices, in our communities – it’s at our doorstep,” said Bianca.

“That is what the ‘At Your Doorstep’ campaign is trying to reinforce. While businesses and entrepreneurs have been hit in recent years by the likes of the National Insurance hike, they remain the wealth creators. And with that comes responsibility.

“And you don’t need to be a billionaire to make a difference – you just need a sleeping bag, one night, and a big enough heart to help.”

One person who is helping the charity this year is entrepreneur Ben Morton, a leadership trainer and coach. Ahead of this year’s fundraiser, he grabbed a sleeping bag and took to the streets – recording a time-lapse video of his experience.

“People walked past me without a second glance, so to think that this is reality for thousands of British people each day is harrowing,” said Ben, who started his career in the Army.

“During my time in the forces, I’d been used to ‘sleeping rough’, but this experience of gave me a different perspective and for those few hours, I just felt invisible.

“But in 2025, nobody should feel that way.

“And while we are all feeling the pinch in business, we are still in a special position of privilege where we can create jobs, wealth – and change.

“Homelessness really is at our doorstep, so we need to pull together and be the changemakers.”

Participants at the CEO Sleepout will brave the cold for a night outdoors. Money raised from the event will benefit local causes including First Stop and ManHealth.

And while the conditions are typically tough, Bianca said the experience of a sleepout is unforgettable – and one that shifts mindsets and save lives.

“There’s always laughter and while it’s cold, people come back every year because it matters,” she added.

“If you’ve done well in business, this is your chance to do good in the world. Join us in Darlington for one night that could change everything.”

For more information, or to take part, please visit https://ceosleepout.co.uk/darlington/